The Xavier boys’ cross country team has set the pace for the year. Senior captains Steven Culpepper and Jonathan Francois are now ranked individually in the state, 16 and 19 respectively. They have also led the varsity team to a ranking of 1oth in class 3A.

“The team has worked really hard this season and it’s paying off a lot,” sophomore Nolan Pithan said. “There have been lots of great races by everyone ,and I’m excited to see how the season ends up. We’ve put in extra morning practices and extra sprints every week. Every day people surprise me at how hard they are willing to work.”

The boys’ team ran September 10 at Noelridge Park in the Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids Invitational and September 12 at Luther in the All-American Race. The boys’ team placed 14th out of 20 teams at the Cedar Rapids Invitational while competing in an all class competition, finishing with an average time of 17:55. They also beat previously seventh ranked Marion High School.

Next, the boys team traveled to the Luther All-American Race and placed seventh out of 20 teams with an average team time of 17:55. They also knocked off previously 13th ranked Charles City and fifth ranked Decorah.

“It was really exciting to go out to such a great course and compete in such a talented group of runners from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa,” Francois said. “Topping two ranked teams, Charles City and Decorah, was a great way to show the 3A competition that Xavier is running for state.”

You can see the boys’ cross country team run next at the Clinton Classic on Saturday, October 3 starting at 9:30 a.m.