After many delays, the Lone Tree Lions got the outdoor track and field season started with a bang Saturday at the Dennis Riley Invitational in West Liberty. The Lone Tree girls finished tied for second in the team standings, just 42 points behind the hosts and champion West Liberty Comets.

The Lions dominated the relay races with three victories. Lone Tree won the 4-by-100-meter relay with a time of 53.63 seconds, as well as the 4-by-200 in one minute 55 seconds; the 4-by-800 in 12:42; and the sprint medley in 1:58.

Junior Vivan Zaruba was also a winner for the Lions in the high jump by clearing four-and-a-half feet. Rylee Shield was second in the long jump, with teammate and fellow junior Cate Sexton taking third.

Sophomore Ava Christofferson also won a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash. Freshman Addison McCullough was fourth in the 200 meters, as was freshman Abby Zaruba in the 400; junior Sami Branson in the 3,000; and junior Hayden Yoder in the shot put toss.

Sophomore Jazmine Nino finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles for Lone Tree, as did senior Lilly Mills in the 400 open. The Lions also took third place in the 4-by-400 and the distance medley.