DOWNS – The St. John’s Blujays Cross Country teams competed at the Lakeside Invitational and Northern Plains League cross country meet on Oct. 15, 2026 in Downs. Other schools represented included Lakeside, Lincoln, Lyons, Osborne, Pike Valley, Sylvan/Lucas, Tipton, Tescott, Thunder Ridge, Norton, Smith Center, Stockton, Republic County, Beloit, Ellsworth, Southeast of Saline, Minneapolis, and Sacred Heart.
The Lady Jays were led by Karridy Dunstan in 2nd place with a time of 19:41. Next was Christiana Niewald in 20th place followed by Anna Tighe in 34th, Avila Niewald 46th, Eva Holdren 47th and Olivia Tighe in 51st. The top 25 individuals medaled in the Invitational. In League standings, Karridy Dunstan and Christiana Niewald were All-League 1st and 6th place respectively. The Lady Jays were first place in League as a team and Lincoln was 2nd.
The St. John’s boys placed 2nd in the Invitational behind Southeast of Saline in 1st and ahead of Minneapolis in 3rd. Jeremiah Roderick was 3rd place with a time of 17:41, Grant Letourneau 16th, Henry Woods 22nd, Sam Letourneau 27th, Aaron Bates 40th, Xavier Roderick 53rd and Dominic Woods was 73rd. The Blujays were the 1st place team in the NPL with four runners as All-League; Jeremiah Roderick 2nd, Grant Letourneau 4th, Henry Woods 7th, and Sam Letourneau in 10th.
Bosco Holdren, Carson Thomas and Lillia Clark participated in the JV race following the varsity races. Holdren received a 10th place JV medal and Thomas was 13th. Clark was 17th in the JV girls.
“It always seems to be windy at the Lakeside Invitational,” said Coach Ben Letourneau. “Today was no exception. There was a very strong North wind, but all the runners showed a lot of fortitude running as well as they did and many of them ran personal best times. It was great to have so many of the boys and girls bring home invitational and league medals.”
Next week, the Blujays will compete at the Tribune Sub State on Saturday, Oct. 24.
