by Larry Mall

With their first scheduled meet at Abilene cancelled due to heavy rains and re-scheduling difficulties, the Southern Cloud Warriors opened their cross country season Thurs., Sept. 9, at the Washington Co. Invitational.

    Sophomore Nicole DeMars provided the day's biggest highlight when she established a new Southern Cloud girls' record for the 4000-meter distance.  DeMars' time of 18:11 was 1:02 faster than her previous personal best; and eclipsed the previous SC mark of 18:23, shared by Alyssa Mosburg, at Beloit, in 2006, and by Janae Perkins, at Abilene, in 2008.

Demars' finish also garnered her a 7th place medal.  Joining her in the medal parade for the girls was sophomore Shannon Wallace, who took home 12th, and also set a new personal record, with her time of 18:59.

    On the boys' side, senior David Leonard (8th), and freshman Dakota Beals (13th), earned themselves medals.

    Girls Results--Nicole DeMars, 7th place medal, 18:11 (PR-SC girls' record time); Shannon Wallace, 12th place medal, 18:59 (PR); Chandra Beals, 44th, 22:45; Kathleen McAlister, 51st, 24:28.

    Boys Results--David Leonard, 8th place medal, 19:06; Dakota Beals, 13th place medal, 19:50; Zach Swenson, 33rd, 22:00; Ryan Perkins, 35th, 22:38; Garrett Redden, 37th, 23:08; Lance Heller, 38th, 23:21; Grady Brayton, 42nd, 23:52.