Mercer County boys, girls win Farmington Invite

The Mercer County boys and girls cross country teams each finished first at the Farmington Invite Monday, Aug. 29.

Boys

Sam Whan led the boys team and placed first overall with a time of 16:06 on the 2.95 mile course.

Team scores for the boys were: Mercer County, 43; Annawan-Wethersfield, 50; Havana and Mid-County, 73; Farmington, 137; Ridgewood, 142 and Peoria Heights, 192.

Times for the Mercer County runners were: Whan, 16:06; Bryan Goman, 17:51.20; David Kantor, 18:08.90; Austin Jackson, 18:43.60; Jordan Franks, 18:50.30; Matt Griswald, 19:19.40 and Grant Biddle, 21:24.30.

United runner Ben Wade finished with a time of 21:46.10 while teammate Dereck Lemley had a time of 22:52.30.

Girls

The Mercer County girls team edged Annawan-Wethersfield 33-34 for the top spot. Other team scores were: Mid-County, 80; Havana, 89 and Ridgewood, 131.

Jill Friedrich of Havana turned in the best time at 19:37.20 while Mercer County's Miranda Biddle and Sydney Brokaw finished second and third at the meet.  Teammate Christina McKnight placed sixth overall.

Annawan-Wethersfield runners finished in a pack placing in the fifth and 7-10 positions.

TImes for the Mercer County runners were: Miranda Biddle, 19:53.50; Sydney Brokaw, 20:40:20; Christina McKnight, 21:21.10; Jenna Ortberg, 22:01.30; Ally Engle, 22:48.70; Jackie Nation, 22:54.40;

United runner Mallory Tharp placed fourth overall with a time of 20:52.80. Her teammates Kaitlyn Bishop, 22:14.30 and Jennifer Elliott, 28:12.40 raced but didn't have enough to make up a team.