Friedrich and Bur earn top 10 finishes as Saints compete in Mankato West Invite

Just a handful of days removed from claiming 42nd in the Roy Griak Invitational which features the best runners in the state, Keira Friedrich and the St. Peter cross country team, which also featured Alex Bur who competed with Friedrich at the invitational and earned 285th, traveled to North Mankato’s Benson Park to compete in the Mankato West Invitational featuring many of Section 2AA’s top teams.

Friedrich earned the gold medal in the race with a season-best time of 18:57.4 while Bur claimed ninth overall to lead the Saints with a time of 16:43.9.

The situation on the day was unique for Friedrich though as she proceeded immediately from the winner’s circle, East down Highway 14 to Waseca to compete for the St. Peter girls soccer team as they faced the Bluejays. She would go on to score a goal for the Saints as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

For the girls team, impressive performances down the roster earned the squad second place behind only the Scarlets as they scored 89 points. Lucia Penner claimed the bronze medal in the race with a time of 20:05.2, her top time of the 2024 season.

Grace Penner then finished 17th with a season-best time of 21:23.4 followed by Robin Hibscher claiming 27th with a time of 21:55.6. Addison Maxfield closed the team scoring finishing 46th with a time of 23:42.5 with Marie Wills also running for the Saints and posting a time of 27:51.6.

The boys team finished tied for seventh with Austin with Callum Harmes finishing behind Bur, claiming 33rd with a time of 18:17.8. Laird Bly (18:47.9), Lathe Bly (21:05.7) and John Kennedy (21:14.4) rounded out the team scorers for St. Peter with Karac Forboard (22:21.0) and Tobias Twait (24:32.7) also running for the Saints.

The St. Peter cross country team is scheduled to return to action Thursday, Oct. 3, when the squad travels to Fairmont to compete in an invitational hosted by the Cardinals.