By Matt McGouran | Sports writer

The Johnson varsity cross country team ran in the UTSA meet on September 15th, varsity girls finished third overall, while the boys finished 16th continuing a strong year for both squads. The rough conditions of the race made sure it wasn’t an easy race.

“We were all covered in mud, Dara [Niemi] even lost her shoe,” junior Shelby McNeel said.

In spite of the mud-ridden track, the team did well. For the girls, senior Natalie Langan finished 10th, sophmore Emily Bandy finished 16th, junior Shelby McNeel finished 19th, and freshman Dara Niemi finished 23rd. For the boys junior Nicolas Gagnon finished 29th, junior Robert Ford finished 58th, and senior Andrew Rodgers finished 59th.

“We were satisfied with our finishes, especially since we were running in the mud,” freshman Dara Niemi said.

With more depth, the team looks to improve on last year’s already impressive season.

“The team has more strong runners this year, and is more well-rounded. So we definitely think we can do better,” McNeel said.

Next, the Jaguars are running in the Feast Meet at Fort Sam Houston on the 22nd. Not to mention a grueling district schedule that still awaits them.

“I think we will do good for the rest of the year, our sights are set for at least regionals” Niemi said.