By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

Hosting the annual Oxford Invitational on Oct. 11, the Wildcats’ cross country teams took on the challenging terrain of Oxford Hills Golf Course in the 15-team event.

Making an impressive statement, the Lady Wildcats were victorious with a score of 88 points. As she has all season, senior Lauren Methner paced the team at 20:26.8 (second).

Junior Ellie DiMalanta (17th) and sophomore Jessa Chapin (20th) also finished in the top-20 for Oxford.

Half a second behind Chapin, senior Madeline Lukens was 21st at 21:40.3. Sophomore Alaine Cusick (28th) rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats.

Rochester Adams finished second on the girls’ side with 91 points. Davison (105), Lake Orion (130) and Marysville (134) completed the top-five.

Dragons junior Sophie Novak earned the top spot individually at 19:24.7, over one minute ahead of the second-place Methner.

Narrowly holding off Davison, the Wildcat boys finished the day in third-place with 87 points.

Senior Scott Masterson’s 17:03.1 performance was good for a sixth-place showing, the highest of any Oxford runner.

Junior Zach Patterson (14th) and freshman Xavier Clark (19th) had strong days, too. Delivering back-to-back solid outings, Clark has demonstrated some serious potential for head coach Norm Petersimes’ team moving forward.

Seniors Simon Arnold (23th) and Zach Allion (25th) also scored points for the Wildcats.

The Rochester Adams Highlanders were the champions on the boys’ side with 63 points; Lake Orion (66) finished in second-place.

Davison (89) and Lapeer (170) earned the final two spots in the top-five.

Looking to keep the momentum from their home meet going, the two teams will next be in action in the OAA Red Championships at Clintonwood Park (Clarkston) on Thursday, Oct. 17.