Pair racing took center stage as area cross-country teams competed in a unique 2.25-mile format, with the top three pairs contributing to each team’s score. Ottawa dominated the boys’ competition with a low 17 points, while Princeton’s boys finished 7th. Augustus and Allister Swanson led the Tiger boys, clocking 27:00. On the girls’ side, Seneca edged out Ottawa and Princeton, who tied at 20 points apiece. Princeton’s Payton Frueh and Ruby Acker claimed the overall pair title at 29:45. Coach Pat Hodge praised improvements from returning runners and celebrated the girls’ pair title as a positive season kickoff.
Boys Team Scores: 1-Ottawa-17 2-Seneca-22 3-Somonauk-35 4-Mendota-40 5-LaSalle/Peru-41 6-St. Bede-46 7-PRINCETON-57 8-Streator-69
PRINCETON PLACES
7th- Augustus Swanson (12:17) & Allister Swanson (14:43) = 27:00
22nd- Brady Gross (14:42) & Matthew Lord (16:21) = 31:03
30th- Cruz Rodriguez (17:39) & Jackson Drozda (17:42) = 35:21
Girls Team Scores: 1-Seneca-14 2-Ottawa-20 3-PRINCETON-20 4-LaSalle/Peru-2
PRINCETON PLACES
1st- Payton Frueh (14:45) & Ruby Acker (15:00) = 29:45
7th- Alexandra Waca (16:32) & Natalie Meyer (17:01) = 33:33
15th- Avery Waca (17:12) & Rebekah Lord (18:40) = 35:52
17th- Susanna Bohms (17:40) & Emily Dye/Lily Simpson (18:47) = 36:27
“We had some nice performances. Most of our returning runners were ahead of last year at this race- Augustus by a significant margin for the boys and Avery with the best improvement for the girls. It was great to see Payton and Ruby take the Pair title on the girls side. They were pretty much by themselves for most of the race and looked pretty strong. In any case, it was a nice start to the season and something to build upon.” Pat Hodge-Princeton Coach.