BURLINGTON

The Tony Proctor Invitational was calling and the Ravens answered the call, traveling to the Burlington Recplex to compete in the cross country meet on Sept. 26. 

Hillcrest finished first in the girls race and bringing home that first place finish was the standout sophomore Marie Yoder.

This was the third straight race Yoder has claimed first and this time her winning time came in 20:23. It was another impressive victory for Yoder as she finished over one minute ahead of the runner-up, Keokuk’s Hannah Karre. Last year Karre was first while Yoder was the runner-up but Yoder managed to get the best of Karre this time around.

For Hillcrest junior Siena Stanerson, it was the first time this season she was able to finish with a sub 22 minute time. Giving the Ravens another top five finish, Stanerson placed fourth in 21:46. 

Rounding out the finishes for Hillcrest on the girls team were Rya Scott (13th in 23:53), Delaney Shaw (25th in 26:38) and Brynna O’Rourke (29th in 28:04). For O’Rourke, her time was a season best. 

The Hillcrest girls ended with a score of 47 to tie for the runner-up spot with Mediaplos. The tie-breaking is decided by a sixth runner but the Ravens only had five runners at Burlington, giving Mediapolis the official runner-up spot. Winning the title was Keokuk with a team score of 32. 

On the boys side, the Ravens were led by Jesse Blossom. The talented senior earned an 11th place finish in 19:38. Coming through next for Hillcrest was Braden Hartsock, placing 21st in 20:45, a new PR. Hartsock, a sophomore, has been consistently running about four to five minutes faster compared to last year. 

Other Ravens to set new PRs were Jeremiah Danker and Mateo Rodriguez. Danker placed 34th in 22:41 and Rodriguez-Yoder placed 37th in 24:11

The Hillcrest boys ended with a team score of 120 to finish fifth in the final standings. Van Buren won the title with a team low score of 34, just beating out Mediapolis’ score of 39

Girls Results 

1. Marie Yoder, Hillcrest, 20:23

4. Siena Stanerson, Hillcrest, 21:46

13. Rya Scott, Hillcrest, 23:53

25. Delaney Shaw, Hillcrest, 26:38

29. Brynna O’Rourke, Hillcrest, 28:08

Boys Results 

1. Lincoln Bainbridge, Hillcrest, 17:01

11. Jesse Blossom, Hillcrest, 19:38

21. Braden Hartsock, Hillcrest, 20:45

24. Isaac Beachy, Hillcrest, 21:26

34. Jeremiah Danker, Hillcrest, 22:41

27. Mateo Rodriguez-Yoder, Hillcrest, 24:11