The Salem High cross country team competed on a hilly course in Christiansburg last Saturday at the Christiansburg Invitational. It was the first race of the season for the Spartans.

The Salem girls placed fifth out of nine teams. Alyssa Ingerson was first for Salem and 18^th overall with a time of 23:06, and Claire Peterson of Salem was just three seconds behind her in 19^th place. Other Salemites who scored were Emma Chamberland in 22^nd, Anna Pitts in 23^rd and Carolina Bowen in 30^th place.

“Our young team two team points from fourth place and 12 points behind Pulaski for third,” said coach Mark Ingerson. “Coach (Pawel) Nazarewizc and I are very excited about seeing this team improve in their racing skills and results as the season progresses.”

Katelyn Crumpacker, and eighth grader, had Salem’s best time of the day at 23:00, placing seventh overall in the JV race. The JV girls placed 2nd as a team and captured a team trophy. Also placing in the top 5 in the JV race for the Spartans were Alexis Stover in ninth, Sam Richardson in 18^th, Zoe Prosser in 19^th and Madison Baxley in 20^th.

The boys’ varsity was 8^th overall, led by Gaven Conner. Other runners for Salem, in order of finish, were Kirill Daniel, Aiden Sable, Zach Hoyer, Elijah Hairston, Tommy Cascell and Nathan Helems.

The JV boys placed seventh with Benji Ashwell leading the team. Others, in order, were Tommy Henzy(8th grade), Walker Chambers, Zack Davidson, Ben Roland, Owen Halverson and Jon Shinal(8th grade).