STC sophomore Max Schirmer crosses the finish line in first place at the South Hardin Invitational.

ELDORA — Running in only their fifth meet of the season, due to weather-related cancellations, the STC cross country program reached a high mark of the season on Saturday, Oct. 3. Sophomore Max Schirmer ran a time of 18:08 to take the first place crown at the South Hardin Invitational at Pine Lake State Park.

“It feels amazing,” said Schirmer, after notching his first career meet victory.

Down the home stretch, Schirmer held off South Hamilton senior Jesus Garcia (18:14) for the win.

“(Garcia) was next to me the whole time, which was good because he was pushing me. At the end I was just hoping that I had enough left.”

Schirmer noted that the course in Eldora was one of the hilliest courses they have seen all season.

STC sophomore Riley Stubbs (2336) and sophomore Kyler Johnson-Whitefish (2334) run together at the South Hardin Invite.

“The course was really hilly, which made it really hard. My legs got tired as the race went on,” he said.

But with the win, Schirmer felt like he found himself in a good place late in the season.

“I feel like I’m closer to where I want to be at this point in the season–coming up on the end,” he said.

Also running for the STC boys were: junior Henri Martinez-Alvarado (19th, 20:22); sophomore Kyler Johnson-Whitefish (20th, 20:23); sophomore Riley Stubbs (41st, 22:29); and sophomore Nolan Arp (44th, 22:39).

The STC boys (103 points) finished in 4th place as a team. South Hamilton won the meet (52), followed by Cedar Ridge Christian (79) and Baxter (98).

STC junior Henri Martinez-Alvarado looks to move up in the pack at the South Hardin Invite.

The STC girls were led by 8th grader Adalyn Graff, who ran a personal-best time of 25:26 and finished in 18th place. Graff was followed by 8th grader Piper Sawyer (29th, 27:33) and freshman Katelynne Brant (30th, 27:34. Sawyer and Brant’s times also represented personal-bests. Rounding out the girls was 8th grader Anna Ahrens (37th, 30:08).

The Trojans will now turn their attention to the annual WaMaC conference meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14. This year’s edition will be held at the Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids. Following that, STC will head to their Class 3A state qualifying meet, which will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (location to be announced).

STC 8th graders Adalyn Graff (right) and Piper Sawyer (left) run at the South Hardin Invite.

STC freshman Katelynne Brant looks to catch a runner at the South Hardin Invite.

STC 8th grader Anna Ahrens runs at the South Hardin Invite.