Sophomore Brooke Stout runs up the final hill during Tuesday’s IMS Early Bird Invitational at the Iowa Mennonite School. Photo by KCII’s Nate Gonner

On a hot and humid evening in rural Kalona, the Washington Demon cross country team began their 2015 season. The Demons opened their race slate a part of the IMS Early Bird Invitational, hosted on the campus of the Iowa Mennonite School.

Washington’s best individual performance on Tuesday came on the girls’ side. Sophomore Brooke Stout led the first 3.1 mile race for the Demon girls, clocking the meet’s 12th fastest time of 22:42. The top 20 finishers took home a medal. Senior Emme Keith, the Demons’ top returning runner, didn’t finish the race after becoming overheated. The high temperature was 89 degrees.

Head cross country coach Steve Roth says Keith’s health is great, “She is concerned, she wants to do well and we know that.” Roth said, “The heat caused her to have stomach cramps. It is something that happens.”

Freshman Molly Sparks was another notable finisher for the Demon girls’ cross country team, clocking the 28th best time of 25:42. The girls squad finished in fourth place out of the seven team field, amassing 131 points.

On the boys side, Washington had two runners finish in the top 30 in the meet. Junior Owen Horak and sophomore Brennan Horak finished within t10 seconds of each other. Owen Horak crossed the finish line first with a time of 19:24. Brennan Horak clocked a time of 19:34, the 28th best time in the meet. The boys’ squad ended the meet in sixth place out of the nine team field.

The Washington Demon cross country team will hit the course on Thursday, competing at the Pekin Invitational at Wildwood State Park in Ottumwa.