Boys Cross Country Competes at Berea-Midpark Invitational

The Amherst Steele boys cross country team turned in a strong performance at the Berea-Midpark Invitational on Saturday, August 23rd, where 144 athletes took to the course. The Comets placed 5th out of 10 teams, showing both depth and improvement early in the season.

Senior Matthew Walker led the way for Steele, breaking into the top 10 with a time of 17:27 to finish 7th overall. Fellow senior Asa Nicely wasn’t far behind, crossing the line in 17:51 for 15th place. Sophomores Cale Miller (18:13, 24th) and Elias Nicely (18:15, 26th) both ran strong races, while freshman Carter Banyas impressed once again, clocking 18:24 for 31st.

Freshman Jackson Strawn (18:54, 38th) and sophomore Nolan Cislo (19:03, 41st) rounded out Steele’s top seven, giving the Comets a tightly packed scoring group. Junior JJ Gedling (19:26, 49th) and junior Nicholas Lauer (20:02, 61st) also added depth to the varsity lineup.

Senior Paul Cherney (20:11, 66th), junior Elijah Bonilla (21:09, 87th), junior Chase Lahetta(21:09, 88th), freshman Owen Cooksey (21:20, 90th), and freshman Hayden Cuevas (23:21, 122nd) also competed. Bonilla earned recognition as the team’s Most Improved Runner, cutting over two minutes from his previous best.

The Comets will take the upcoming weekend off from competition before returning to action at the Wooster Invitational the following week.