The Ellsworth High School Bearcats Varsity Cross Country Team raced Sept. 22 on a muddy Southeast of Saline course, with the boys finishing 10th overall, and Addison Thomas and Grayson Stone each having season best times.

“It was rescheduled from Sept. 20 due to the 100 degree-plus temperature forecast, which was a great move by Southeast’s coach and administration,” said Ellsworth Coach Eric Coonrod. “An inch-and-a-half of rain and a 25-30 degree cooler day made for one of the best meet conditions we’ve had so far this season.”

Coonrod said there was some excellent competition, as expected.

“If we end up at a ‘central’ regional, we’ll likely be seeing many of the same runners on Oct. 22.

He said Southeast tends to give the Bearcats mixed results.

“Not always personal best times, but still some strong times for all,” Coonrod said.

He said Addison Thomas and Grayson Stone finished the day with their best times of the season.

“On the girls side, Kate Rathbun finished a few seconds in front of Addison,” Coonrod said. “Kate has been steadily improving on consistent mile times, running right at her average on the first two miles. Addison’s first two miles were the best of her season. Everyone’s third mile was a little off their season averages, but the third mile had a lot of the muddiest terrain, and was also the longer mile (the 1.1 mile portion).”

Coonrod said Byron Johnson ran with the lead pack as planned, knowing that this might be a preview of the regional.

“He was only a few seconds off his personal best time, and was the lone high school medalist, finishing eighth overall,” Coonrod said. “Trenton Holmes and Aidan Johnson both ran a good race, not far off of their personal best times. Billy Duncan was able to compete in his first race of the season, which allowed us to be scored as a team.

The results for Ellsworth were: High School Girls

• Kate Rathbun, 46th place, 25:54.

• Addison Thomas, 47th place, 26:07, (her season best time).

High School Boys

• Byron Johnson, eighth place medalist, 17:09.

• Trenton Holmes, 53rd place, 20:16.

• Grayson Stone, 65th place, 21:25, (season best time).

• Aidan Johnson, 70th place, 23:32.

• Billy Duncan, 72nd place, 26:27.