Steelville’s High School and Middle School cross country teams began their seasons Sept. 9 by competing in the Vienna Eagle Invitational.

Steelville’s athletes didn’t just persevere through temperatures in the high 90’s. They excelled, receiving multiple medal-worthy performances in their debut meet. All finishers in the top-20 of each respective race garnered a medal.

The Cardinals’ varsity boys team earned third place as a team for their efforts in the 5000m competition. Senior Owen Rutledge was Steelville’s top runner, earning seventh place with a 19:47.80 time. Sophomore Andrew Jensen finished next, taking 10th place after completing it in 20:02.02. Freshman Brantley Booker followed, earning 15th place in his first high school meet with a 20:34.10 time as the Cardinals’ third medal earner in the competition.

Sophomore Elizabeth Warden was Steelville’s lone female athlete competing in the girls varsity 5000-meter race and crossed the finish line in 25:57.8 to earn seventh place and a medal for her efforts.

Kaden Rulo, Lucas Garms, Andrew Riley and Colin Orick also competed in the boys varsity race for the Cardinals. Kaden Rulo completed the race in 23:09.2 to earn 32nd, Garms finished in 23:46.8 to take 36th, Riley ran it in 25:21.2 to place 47th and Orick crossed the finish line in 28:55.4 to earn 57th.

Steelville’s middle school teams also had numerous standouts from both the boys and girls groups. The Cardinal boys earned second place as a team and the girls finished in third place as a team.

A total of 15 Cardinal boys participated in the meet and three finished in the top-10 of all runners. Four earned medals with top-20 performances and six finished in the top 30 of the 1.6 mile race.

Eighth grader Peyton Martin was Steelville’s fastest finisher, taking third place with a 10:19.3 time. All three of Steelville’s next runners to cross the finish line were seventh graders, showing promise of a strong running career at a young age. Whaley Landon finished right behind Martin, taking fourth place with a 10:26.3 time. Cordale Pryor took eighth place after crossing the finish line in 10:46.90 and Travis Harmon finished in 19th place with a 11:35.3 time. 

Huntley Hammonds finished in 25th place with a 11:58.20 time, Braxton Perkins took 27th after crossing the finish line in 12:06.80, Lincoln Sackman finished in 30th with a 12:18 time, Landon Heuer earned 39th place with a 12:59.20 time and Sawyer Oaker finished in 40th after completing it in 13:01.30.

Seventh grader Heidi Helms was the Lady Cardinals’ top finisher and lone medal winner, earning 11th place after crossing the finish line in 12:34.2. Elaina Turnbough took 21st place with a 14:02.1 time. Sophia Oaker was right on her tail, finishing in 22nd with a 14:07.1 time. 

Aubreigh Diaz took 28th place with a 14:30.5 time, Gracyn Discus finished in 37th after completing it in 16:24.6, Kadence Harmon earned 42nd with a 16:24.5 time, Hope Mabe earned 46th after crossing the finish line in 17:51 and Hattie Harmon took 50th place with a 19:30 time to round out the Lady Cardinal performances.

Steelville’s high school and middle school cross country teams will host the Steelville Invitational, Sept. 17 at Steelville City Park. Middle school races will begin at 4 p.m. The Cardinals will then run Sept. 22 in Belle and Steelville’s varsity team will compete in the Sept. 26 Gans Creek Classic in Columbia.