The local cross country teams had a busy time last week with Spartans running in both the Maroon Tide Invitational at Galax and the Cougar Clash in Pulaski County. Glenvar ran at Galax.

The Salem girls placed a close sixth in the Maroon Invitational, one point from creating a three way tie for fourth and just a few points from third. In hot conditions, most times were significantly worse compared to ideal conditions two weeks prior at the Knight’s Crossing. However, the Salem girls’ times dipped the least and the Spartans gained ground on region revival Pulaski and leapfrogged several local schools in the process.

Leading Salem’s Varsity girls in a field of 160 5k runners was Alyssa Ingerson in 16^th place, passing 23 girls after the first mile. Claire Peterson was 22^nd, followed by Anna Pitts in 24^th, Emma Chamberland in 50^th and Carolina Bowen in 54^th.

The Salem girls won the jayvee race with seven runners in the top 10, led by 8th grader Katelyn Crumpacker’s second place finish.

The boys did not score as a team, but the Spartans had three runners competing. Aiden Sable was 32^nd, Kirill Daniel was 72^nd and Elijah Hairston was 123^rd.

Christiansburg won the boys’ race and Floyd County won the girls’ race at Galax. Glenvar also competed and the Highlanders were seventh among the girls and 16th among the boys.

Rachel Millirons was Glenvar’s top runner, finishing third at 20:52.30. Also scoring were Rebekah Linkous in 12^th, Kailee Sesler in 29^th, Madison Osburn in 78^th and Ashley Zaronsky in 94^th.

For the boys, Adren Jacobs of Glenvar was 62^nd. Other scorers were Bryant Loftis in 70^th, Dustin Wade in 89^th, Brendan Killeen in 106^th and Carsen Cain in 136^th.

On Saturday Salem competed in the Cougar Clash on a hot day in Pulaski County. The Pulaski County boys and Blacksburg girls were team winners in the varsity division.

The Salem girls cross country team placed 5th, just ahead of William Byrd, a region rival and a team Salem had placed behind just two weeks ago. Salem was led by Ingerson (21st 22:03), Peterson (23rd 22:17), Pitts (24th 22:20), Chamberland (29th 22:49), Carolina Bowen (33rd 23:03).

The SHS boys varsity team placed 10th and the top runner was Gaven Conner. The JV team placed 6th and Salem’s first finisher was Walker Chambers.

In the JV race, Salem placed a close second behind Blacksburg and had four girls win medals by finishing in the top 10; Katelyn Crumpacker(2^nd), Emily Johnson(6^th), Bella Ferrate(9^th) and Madison Baxley(10^th).