AMES — The Solon cross country teams travelled to Ames Thursday, September 11, to run in the Gilbert Invitational held on the Iowa State cross country course. The meet was littered with ranked teams, including the boys and girls 2024 State Meet champs and current top-ranked teams Gilbert and Pella, who won the team titles as expected.
Falyn Svalstad led the Lady Spartans to a 6th place finish. The junior ran a personal best 19:51 good for 20th place overall. Freshman Mailee Schmidt also ran a PB clocking in next at 20:35 to place 40th. Sophomores Addison Seamans and Liv Nelson finished 45th and 47th running 20:52 and 20:56. Another sophomore, Quinn Armentrout ran 21:50, good for 69th to round out the scoring spots.
Junior Mya Fordice led the Solon junior varsity runners with an 8th place finish clocking 22:34. Fordice will join the varsity this week after running the team’s 7th fastest time overall in the meet.
The boys were again led by the sophomore trio of Anders Holmes, Deacon Waddell and Preston Raasch all running personal bests of 17:00, 17:29 and 17:35. Holmes placed 26th, Waddell was 43rd with Raasch 50th. Freshman Brooks Kabela ran 18:30 and placed 92nd with senior Charlie Pettit close behind in 18:44 (102nd place). The fivesome placed 11th in the 20 team field. Seniors Spencer Michels and Rene Meza sat out an injury and illness but hope to return this week.
The teams will compete in Independence September 18 before hosting the Spartan Invitational September 22 which features varsity, junior varsity and middle school races starting at 4:30 pm.