The Ellsworth High School Varsity Cross Country Team had a good outing Sept. 15 during the St. John High School Invitational conducted at the Stafford Golf Course.

According to Coach Eric Coonrod, one of the significant milestones for a 5K runner is to run under 17 minutes.

“Byron ( Johnson) accomplished that goal this past week,” Coonrod said. “Byron ran a smart race and pulled away in the last half mile to secure the win. Not many distance runners achieve this feat, a result of months and even years of hard work and focus. I’d anticipate another run or two in the 16s before regionals, as I look ahead at our schedule.”

Coonrod said another landmark for a high school 5K runner is to run under 20 minutes.

“Trenton (Holmes) met that goal with his strong race time last week,” he said. “This is a good midseason accomplishment, and I think he’ll have a couple more meets for sub-20s with upcoming meets.”

Coonrod said Grayson Stone had a personal best time during the meet, and Aidan Johnson ran his fastest time of the season as well.

The Bearcat women also did well.

Kate Rathbun had a strong run, only 25 seconds from the 20th place medal, with her best finish mile so far this season. Addison Thomas had a good run coming off an illness.

“She’ll keep improving times and places as she gets back to 100 percent,” Coonrod said.

For Ellsworth the results were:

• Byron Johnson, first place, personal best time of 16:59.

• Trenton Holmes, 24th place, personal best time of 19:57.

• Grayson Stone, 47th place, personal best time of 22:37.

• Aidan Johnson, 52nd place, season best time of 23:30.

• Billy Duncan did not run.

• Kate Rathbun 25th place, personal best time of 24:29.