The Marion cross-country team started its season Thurs?day with a fifth-place finish at the Hesston Swather Special.
Four MHS varsity boys medaled: Jordan Hett (third, 17 minutes, 31 seconds), Patrick McCarty (ninth, 18:51), Adam Cope (11th, 18:51) and Michael Kirkpatrick (20th, 19:54).
Wichita Independent won the boys? Class 1-2-3A team title, followed by Sterling, Minnea?polis, Hutch Trinity, Marion and Bennington.
Marion girls didn?t have enough runners to compete as a team, but one girl earned a medal and another one almost did. Elizabeth Goentzel placed eighth in 17:31 and Sarah Eurit was one place away from her first medal, finshing in 20:16.
With the season-opening meet in Abilene postponed Sept. 9 because of weather, coach Bethany Carlson was happy about her team?s performance at Hesston.
?Jordan Hett improved his time by about 30 seconds from last year,? she said. ?Jacob Cope and Patrick McCarty pushed each other the entire race. They are both a little over 2 minutes faster than last year.
She added, ?Elizabeth has been working hard in practice and her work is paying off. She is starting the season two seconds from reaching her (personal record) from last year.
?Sarah Eurit also is a hard worker and always gives 100 percent. I expect Sarah?s times to continue to drop as she gains more experience in running a 4-K race.?
Coming?Marion?s next meet will be Thursday at Peabody.
