The Burton Panther Cross Country team journeyed to Crossroads Park in Temple for the Lake Bronco Invitational Thursday. On a course that maneuvered through sun-streaked trees before ending on a punishing series of hills, several Panthers ran their way to season-best times.
The women ran first in the 1A - 4A Varsity race, and found a loaded field of competitors. The Panthers were led by Peyton Sigsbee (Sr.), whose season-best time of 12:59 placed her 2nd overall. Rounding out the Panther's top five were Avery Applewhite (Sr.), Madeline Dowling (Fr.), Abbey Dowling (Jr.), and Kara Landriault (So.). The women placed 4th overall as a team.
The men ran the next race, 1A - 4A Varsity race. Devlin Douglas (Jr.) powered up the hilly terrain for a season-best 19:10 time, placing 5th overall and medaling. The top finishers for the Panthers were Zach Purvis (Fr.), Jackson Morey (Sr.), who also notched a season-best time, Andrew Gonzales (Fr.), and Hunter Duffy (Jr.). Also posting season-best times were newcomer Cadeyn Manley (Jr.) and second-year runner Mason Helton (So.), who dropped three minutes off his previous best time.
The Panthers enjoy a long weekend break before staying close to home for their next outing at the Yeague Invitational, hosted by Somerville on Lake Somerville's Overlook Park. The first race starts at 8 am on Saturday, September 28th.