Despite injuries and illnesses, Polk County High’s Cross Country teams had respectable team finishes at the Shelby High School Cross Country Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 16. Hot, humid and how could we forget those hills, the 5K course served the Wolverines a grueling workout. This time of year coaches look for marked improvements over the first couple weeks of the season, but hilly, wet terrain can put personal records on the back burner.

The Wolverines competed in three events. The Men’s JV and Men’s and Women’s Open. The Polk squads would be lead by three individuals who took first place team positions for the first time this season. Jake Russell (21:16) was the first Wolverine to cross the line in the JV race placing third overall. Mitchell Brown (19:06) took to the hills like a champ in the Men’s Open race placing 8th overall and first for the Wolverines. Caleb Brown (19:25), Sean Doyle (19:30), Jacob Wolfe (20:03), Eli Hall (20:52) top five scorers for the Wolverines. Other Polk competitors; Al Russell (21:00) and Mark Federman (21:06). Connor Holtz (23:45) and Luke Collins (31:00) competed in the Men’s JV.

The Lady Wolverines were paced by Emily Kocher (23:03) who earned the top spot for the Lady Wolverines and placed fifth overall in the Women’s Open. The team raced without three of its top five competitors. Selena Chavez (25:35), Haley Fowler (26:08), Ashton Capozzi (26:32) and Shelby Wells (27:13) rounded out the top five scoring effort for Polk. Also competing for the Wolverines; Leah Hardin (28:17), Alli Swope (28:37), Karli Wood (29:04), Sophie Young (29:13), Colleen Burke (30:39) and Jessica Bailey (34:28).

Boys team scores: 1, Landrum 65; 2, Polk County 78; 3, Forestview 83; 4, Shelby 109; 5, Freedom 129.

Girls team scores: 1, East Lincoln 45; 2, Landrum 78; 3, West Lincoln 102; 4, Polk County 112; Shelby 131.

The Wolverines hope to post strong performances at Freedom High in Morganton Saturday, Sept. 20 and RS Central Wednesday, Sept. 24.