Senior Katelynn McLaughlin won first place in at the Cottonwood Flats Invitational cross country meet in Guthrie on August 27.

“It felt great to win because it was my first race that I ever placed first place,” McLaughlin said.

There were a total of 38 girl varsity runners with and her overall time was 14:14.65 for a 2 mile race. Running on the track with her Senior teammate Abbie Poss and wearing different colored socks helps her prepare for her the big meets. Junior Gabrielle Jones placed 30th in the 2 mile race.

For the boys’ team, Evan Gutel placed 11th, Nathan Veal placed 22nd, Gabriel Hernandez placed 23rd and Tyler McLaughlin placed 24th.

Afterward, Coach Mark Busick took the team to eat at local restaurants. “Busick always likes us to eat local,” McLaughlin said.

Cross country practices every day after school to prepare for their meets.

“Many of the runners have been preparing all summer long for this year’s season and many even run on their own time,” said coach Gabrielle Price.