MAPLETON &045;&160;Both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams each finished second in the 12-team Maple River Invitational last Thursday.

The girls finished second to a much-improved team from Blue Earth Area. The Rebels were led by a second-place finish by Jamie Klein. Eighth grader Amber Erickson (10th) also finished in the medals.

The boys put four in the top 10, but got edged by highly rated Blue Earth Area.

The lead pack had the look of a dual meet, as 9 of the top 12 finishers were from either Blue Earth Area or USC/AC.

Leading the boys with a third-place finish was

Eric Youngblom. Other top 10 finishers included

Brad Tomschin (5th), Bryan Hauge (7th), and Jacob Elmer (9th).

A high light for the Rebels fans was the boys’ junior varsity race as the locals turned in a perfect score.

USC/AC runners not only took the top five places needed to tally a rare perfect score, but also added sixth and seventh for good measure. Leading that team were Shane Bias and Sam Hallman.

“Overall, I feel we ran well,” said Rebel head coach Kent Viesselman. “We had 29 athletes entered, and 23 of them ran either their best-ever time or their season best. Most of the other six were close.”

Saturday, team travels to

the Milaca Mega-Meet which has been moved to the

Stone Creek Golf Course in Foley.

This Meet is billed as the largest one-day high school cross country meet in the world.

Well over 100 schools will be represented, with approximately 50 in Class A.

Varsity results (USC/AC only)

Girls

2. Jamie Klein 16:05, 10. Amber Erickson 17:13:14, Joelle Elmer 17:32, 15. Becca Bryson 17:42,

30. Nicole Klein 18:52, 33. Shelby Little 19:06, 36. Meghan Chirpich 19:15.

Boys

4. Eric Youngblom 17:29, 5. Brad Tomschin 17:31, 7. Bryan Hauge 17:34, 9. Jacob Elmer 17:48, 17. Alex Ramaker 18:49, 18. Greg Opseth 18:54, 27. Erik Melby 19:14