By the time the North County Invite ended Thursday, Oct. 14, it was clear that the Cedarcrest boys cross country team came to the race.

Cedarcrest runners met about 20 teams, from 4A to 1A schools, in class races.

In the first race, freshman Logan Orndorf continued an excellent season by taking second. Not to be outdone, three freshman girls placed in the top nine– Diana Carr with seventh, Amelia Anderson at eighth and Megan Brimley at ninth.

In the sophomore race, Cody Wanichek, at sixth, and Dominic Dams at 10th, ran away with ribbons. Mitchell Montgomery broke 17 minutes for a 5K for the second time as he finished fifth in the junior race.

In the senior race, Cara Strodel broke 19 mins for the first time in a 5K as she finished second. Chad Linnerooth also broke into the top 10 by finishing eighth in the senior race.

When it was all said and done, nine runners placed in the top 10 in their races. When the team scores were finalized, the girls finished fourth and the top 2A school. It was the third consecutive year that the girls squad has been a top 5 team at this meet. Doing their best to outdo the girls, the boys placed second overall and were the second 2A school. The top 3 boys team were 2A schools, all beating the bigger 3A and 4A schools.

Athletes of the Meet were Chad Linnerooth, Cara Strodel, Madison Waterman, Diana Carr and Cody Wanichek.

Cedarcrest starts the championship season on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Cascade Conference Championships in Lakewood.