The Mathews High School boys’ cross country team came in first out of three teams competing last Wednesday at Lancaster High School, defeating Northumberland and the host Red Devils. The MHS girls didn’t fare as well, coming in second to Northumberland.

The boys’ and girls’ races were held at the same time, due to another sporting event that was scheduled for later that evening. The boys’ team won its race by a narrow margin (25 points), with Lancaster in second (33 points) and Northumberland (73 points) trailing the field.

Jalen Thomas (17:49) finished first on the team, and first overall in the race. He was followed by Will Hutcheson (18:53), Jordan Jenkins (19:12), Caleb Sadler (19:24), Kirk Casper (20:43), Zak Webb (21:34) and Calvin Kramer (21:54). Nasir Thomas (20:44) would have been sixth on the team, but since he is in eighth grade, his score didn’t count. Sean Carlson (22:10) and Presley Murphy (27:11) both did well and beat their times fr...