MOUNTAIN LAKE &045; Sara Bias got the cross country season off to a flying start for the United South Central Rebels with a first-place finish at the Mountain Lake Invitational.

Defending Champion Jamie Rooney of Fairmont finished third with Kirsten Painter of Blue Earth in the runner-up spot. The three top all finished between 15:31 and 15:34.

“It was a tightly contested race between three excellent runners,” commented Rebel coach Kent Viesselman. “A time in the 15:30s is excellent this early in the season, considering the course and the weather conditions.”

The meet was held with temperatures and humidity in the 80s.

Bias’ win led the USC/AC girls to a fifth-place finish, with 17 teams represented. Following Bias for USC were Jamie Klein (14th), Lindsey Rauenhorst (29th), Michelle Sonnek (40th), Amelia Treptow (44th), and Becca Bryson (47th).

“The girls ran hard,” said Viesselman. “I think some of our less experienced runners ran into problems with the combination of heat and hills in the second half of the race. We feel we’ll be stronger as the season progresses and they get more experience.”

The Rebel boys finished third behind the sixth-place finish of Bob Schmitz. Mounds View was the team champion with 72 points. Blue Earth, the early-season pick to win the section, was second with 87 points.

“The boys had an excellent meet,” said Viesselman.

“We are ahead of where we expected to be at this point.”

Following Schmitz were Justin Youngblom (13th), Jake Stenzel (22nd), Chris Vondracek (27th), Eric Youngblom (33rd), Spencer Niebuhr (43rd), and Mike Soma (60th). Schmitz, Niebuhr, and Soma are all in their first year of cross country.

The next action for the Rebels will be the Red Bird Invitational at the Montgomery Golf Course on Thursday at 4:15.