The Bears boys’ cross country team delivered a spectacular performance at the Annual Swain Invite in Duluth on Saturday, blazing past the competition to claim a commanding team victory.
The Bears secured the top spot with a remarkably low score of 41 points, nearly halving the score of the next closest competitor, Grand Rapids, who finished second with 88 points. This dominant showing highlights the team’s depth and top-tier talent early in the season.
The team’s success was anchored by its outstanding lead runners, starting once again with Will Schwemm, who secured a phenomenal 2nd place finish overall in the varsity race. Following close behind Schwemm and cementing the team’s low score were Leo Mithun and Zach Barkwell, both of whom battled their way into the coveted top 10.
The critical supporting runners pushed the Bears’ victory out of reach for the competition. Senior Otis Friesen finished strong in 11th place, and Junior Shamore Brinda delivered an impressive performance, crossing the line in 14th place. The combined effort of these five runners created an insurmountable gap between the Bears and the rest of the field.
Not to be overlooked was the strong showing from the girls’ team, led by sophomore standout Georgia Shaw. Shaw put in a terrific run, striding to an 8th place finish overall in the girls’ race, providing a huge boost to the team score. Her effort helped lead the girls’ squad to a solid 6th place overall finish in a highly competitive field.
The dominant victory at the Swain Invite sets a high standard for the Bears as they look ahead to the remainder of the cross country season.
