When the annual Carbondale Invitational had to be canceled this season because of the Saluki Way construction, Marion's cross country program and its new course was there to pick up the pieces Saturday. Eli Baker and Jenna Griffith pulled eight teams together on short notice for the first annual Marion Invitational at the Crisp Sports Complex. While Carbondale swept the team competition in the boys and girls races, Marion's boys raced shorthanded and the girls remained one individual short of having a team score. "We were still able to fill a team, and the boys went out knowing we were shorthanded," Baker said. "They stepped it up, and some of them ran PRs. Even though key guys for us were gone, it still doesn't affect how you run your race." Six teams ran in the girls race, but only two recorded a team score led by the Terriers (30) ahead of Hamilton County (70). Mallori Chamness led the Lady Wildcats with a fourth-place finish in 21:26. Erin Farinelli followed in 16th (25:21) five seconds ahead of Hannah Baker in 17th (25:26) while Carly Crabtree wasn't too far behind in 20th (26:21). "Mallori did not have one of her best races as far as time goes," Griffith said. "But it was good having Erin back to go along with Hannah and Carly posting their best times." Farinelli missed Marion's last race because of a foot injury, but returned Saturday to tackle the hilly course. "I talked to Erin after the race because she was kind of slow ...
Anytime
When the annual Carbondale Invitational had to be canceled this season because of the Saluki Way construction, Marion's cross country program and its new course was there to pick up the pieces Saturday. Eli Baker and Jenna Griffith pulled eight teams together on short notice for the first annual Marion Invitational at the Crisp Sports Complex. While Carbondale swept the team competition in the boys and girls races, Marion's boys raced shorthanded and the girls remained one individual short of having a team score. "We were still able to fill a team, and the boys went out knowing we were shorthanded," Baker said. "They stepped it up, and some of them ran PRs. Even though key guys for us were gone, it still doesn't affect how you run your race." Six teams ran in the girls race, but only two recorded a team score led by the Terriers (30) ahead of Hamilton County (70). Mallori Chamness led the Lady Wildcats with a fourth-place finish in 21:26. Erin Farinelli followed in 16th (25:21) five seconds ahead of Hannah Baker in 17th (25:26) while Carly Crabtree wasn't too far behind in 20th (26:21). "Mallori did not have one of her best races as far as time goes," Griffith said. "But it was good having Erin back to go along with Hannah and Carly posting their best times." Farinelli missed Marion's last race because of a foot injury, but returned Saturday to tackle the hilly course. "I talked to Erin after the race because she was kind of slow ...