A skilled field of teams were on hand for the annual Norm Ayen Bluejacket Invitational hosted by the Cambridge-Isanti cross country squads at Isanti Middle School on Sept. 9.
In the boys varsity race, Centennial, ranked 7th in Class AA, held off Class A 2nd-ranked Mora to win the meet title. The Bluejacket boys finished in seventh place with Section 7AA partners filling in the third through sixth-place spots.
Jack Nelson and Dylan Larson paced the C-I boys by running the 5K in 18:23.4 and 18:23.9 to place 26th and 27th. Joining them that afternoon were Mason Friesz (35th, 18:51), Ryan Droubie (47th, 19:53), Jack Hennen (51st, 20:38) and Henry Abraham (55th, 21:02).
In the girls varsity it was Forest Lake, ranked 7th in Class AA, defending their invite title by getting past South St. Paul. The Bluejacket girls packed well to take sixth in the race.
Abberly Smith posted the low time for the Jacket girls by crossing at 21:46 for 15th place. Following her were Jessica Illg (18th, 21:50), Abbey Berg (21st, 21:58), Katlin Waldron (46th, 23:47), Britt Erickson (53rd, 26:06) and Brynna Guimont (68th, 26:28).
The Bluejacket JV girls placed 7th in their race, led by Chloe Fromm (25:53) and Macinzey Maas (26:12). The C-I boys JV also placed 7th with Christian Wiebe (19:58) and Trent Viesselman (20:37) posting low times for the team
The C-I middle school boys finished runner-up to Mora in their 3K race, led by Nathan Schibilla (12:53) and Wyatt Wothe (13:17). The Jacket middle school girls top runners were Kate Malikowski (15:27) and Allyson Fromm (15:46).
Norm Ayen Bluejacket Invite
Boys) Centennial 38, Mora 54, Forest Lake 71, Blaine 79, Duluth East 138, Andover 141, Cambridge-Isanti 186, Chisago Lakes 249, S. St. Paul 253. Medalist– Reed Kurak (Cent) 16:31.
Girls) Forest Lake 36, S. St. Paul 58, Duluth East 77, Andover 111, Centennial 112, Cambridge-Isanti 153, Blaine 189, Princeton 222, Chisago Lakes 231, North 261. Medalist– Star Costa (SSP) 19:09.