Keota’s Turner Klein (No. 102) runs downhill during last Thursday’s Washington Cross Country Invitational. Photo by KCII Sports Nate Gonner.

An area cross country runner was one second away from his first varsity meet victory earlier this week. The annual Mike Jay Invitational was held Monday at the Cedar Crest Golf Course in Columbus Junction. The race, hosted by Columbus Community Schools, featured runners from Cardinal, Highland, Holy Trinity, Keota, Louisa-Muscatine, Sigourney, Winfield-Mount Union, West Liberty and Wilton.

Keota junior Turner Klein, this week’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week, was leading the boys’ race coming down the final stretch. However, Wilton’s Buddy Darting passed Klein less than 100 yards from the finish line to win the boys’ race with a time of 17:40. Klein crossed the line one second later.

Klein has finished in the top 10 of each race he’s competed in this year, including three straight second place finishes. The Keota Eagles cross country team will continue their season today, taking part in the Montezuma meet. Varsity races are set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Montezuma Country Club.