The West Branch cross country team competed at the St. Francis Invitational on Sept. 12. Ashley Causer, Abby Causer, Alexis Condon, Codee Foster, Ella Slabon, Michaela Kerlin, and Zaid Carr represented West Branch. Several runners placed among the top finishers in their races. The meet included runners from schools throughout the area, including Altoona, Bald Eagle, Bedford, Bellville, Bellwood, Cambria Heights, Clearfield, Ferndale, Johnstown, Marion Center, Martinsburg Central, Northern Bedford, Penn Cambria, Philipsburg Osceola, St. Joseph, Southern Huntingdon, Tyrone, United, Williamsburg, and Windber.

Ashley Causer finished fifth among 96 runners with a time of 21:35, earning a medal. She has recorded multiple high-placing finishes this season.

Causer’s performance also impacted her teammates. “Ashley really motivates us when it comes to running; she’s extremely fast and positive when it comes to encouraging us to push ourselves. She impacts our team in an extremely positive way. In a way, Ashley is the team; she carries it on her back,” teammate Ella Slabon said. Slabon also said, “Ashley Causer places in almost every meet, including large invitationals.”

The West Branch girls team finished ninth among 20 teams. The girls’ 5K race had 95 finishers. Michaela Kerlin placed 50th with a time of 26:21, while Alexis Condon placed 59th with a time of 26:42. Ella Slabon finished 89th with a time of 31:58. Codee Foster placed 94th and set a new personal record with a time of 34:56.

For the boys, Zaid Carr finished with a time of 21:14, placing 50th among 124 finishers in the high school boys’ 5K race.

The Warriors are scheduled to return home on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. for their next cross country meet against North Star, Southern Fulton, and Moshannon Valley. North Star has two runners, while Southern Fulton and Moshannon Valley each have nine runners.