The Knoxville Cross Country Squads got their first chance to run against other uniforms in the Earlybird Invitational on Monday. Both squads finished third with the girls scoring 62 points just four points out of second place. Knoxville’s Norah Pearson was the overall winner for the girls in a time of 18:56. For the boys, Jordan Bacon led the Panthers in a time of 17:52, Seth Walraven was sixth in 18:09, and Trent Walraven placed tenth in a time of 18:22. Pekin won the boys event with 39 points, but Knoxville was just seven points from the team title.

Boys Race:
1 Pekin 39
2 Fairfield 43
3 KNOXVILLE 46
4 Eddyville-Blakesburg 103

KNOXVILLE:
5th Jordan Bacon 17:52
6th Seth Walraven 18:09
10th Trent Walraven 18:22
12th Kaden McGill 18:33
13th Emmett Schmidt 18:33
14th Max Purvis 18:34
15th Peter Picard 18:52

Girls Race:
1 Pekin 24
2 Fairfield 58
3 KNOXVILLE 62
4 Eddyville-Blakesburg 98

KNOXVILLE:
1st Norah Pearson 18:56
13th Olivia Maasdam 23:21
15th Dani Johnston 23:28
16th Charlie Vermeer 24:02
17th Jade Six 24:17
20th Jalen Nelson 24:34
21st Abbey Jackson 25:08