This week the Jonathan Alder cross country team competed at the 26th annual Westerville North Cross Country Classic and walked away just as successful as last week.

In the high school girls race, senior Aziza Ayoub looked to continue her winning streak against a field of very competitive Division 1 girls. Ayoub was able to walk out of Westerville undefeated. Aziza and Annalise Grammel, from Columbus Academy, ran neck and neck throughout the entire race. Yet, heading into the final 400m nobody doubted that Ayoub would pull away with the win. Ayoub sprinted the final 200m beating Grammel by 5 seconds. Next year, the Alder girls’ team will have to look out for Grammel, as she is only a freshman.

The high school girls had great races across the board, from its first finisher to its last. Sophomore Ashlyn McDaniels ran a season’s best 22:06 and  placed 8th overall out of Division 2 girls. Freshman Jenna Kieffer finished next, running a 25:58 and placing 26th overall, followed by Freshman Jordan Gall placing 27th with a 26:06, and Sophomore Lauryn Saxor finishing in 29th racing a 26:28. Sophomore MarySara Albert, Freshman Rachel Berry, and Senior MaryKate Albert finished 33rd, 34th, and 36th respectively.
The high school boys team walked away with 3rd place honors in Division 2. Freshman Luke Malone again led the Pioneers, running a 17:39 and placing 7th in Division 2. Freshman Gavin Frick followed running a 18:08. Gavin missed out on his 2nd medal on the year coming in 12th place. Freshman Zach Hicks finished next running a 18:38 and placing in 16th. Sophomore Jordan Herrick and Junior Cole Schrock finished next, placing 21st and 22nd respectively. The Pioneers are currently without Freshman Michael Gray, who is recovering from a toe sprain. The Pioneers heavily anticipate his return next week at the always competitive McGowan Invitational.