Rodeo park in Fort Madison is the next stop on the race trail for the Washington Demon boys and girls cross country teams. Washington’s Southeast Conference rivals, the Fort Madison Bloodhounds, are set to hold their annual cross country invitational this evening. The race field includes runners from Central Lee, Columbus, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mediapolis, Mount Pleasant, Wapello, and Winfield-Mount Union.

With three 5k races under their belt, members of Washington’s girls cross country team are starting to slash some significant time. Sophomore Brooke Stout has dropped her 3.1 mile nearly 90 seconds from the opening meet of the season. Stout recorded her personal best time of 21:15 last Thursday at the Fairfield Invitational. Senior Emme Keith has seen her 5k time drop 25 seconds, while freshman Molly Sparks has seen her mark decline over 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Two cousins highlight the Washington Demon boys cross country team this fall. Junior Owen Horak finished one spot away from a medal at last week’s Fairfield Invitational, clocking the meet’s 16th best time of 18:46. Sophomore Brennan Horak finished 11 seconds behind Owen, recording the 21st best time in the race.

The first races of the Fort Madison Invitational is set for 5 p.m. at Rodeo Park in Fort Madison.