Area runners got one last chance in the regular season to show what they can do at the Mediapolis cross country meet Thursday. The top performance came from Lone Tree Lions sophomore Vivian Zarbua. The reigning JET Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week finished third in the girls’ race with a time of 22 minutes and 41 seconds. Highland Huskies freshman Erika Thomann also medaled after finishing sixth in a time of 23 minutes and 48 seconds, and her classmate Siena Stanerson also claimed a medal in 24:32 to finish ninth. The WACO Warriors were led by senior McKenzie Vradenburg in 10th at 25:03, while sophomore Justine Lynn just missed the medal stand in 11th at 25:14. Sophomore Delaney Shaw was the lone girls’ runner for the Hillcrest Academy Ravens and finished 14th in 25:35.

On the boys’ side, Hillcrest got the top time from the area, with sophomore Micah Gerber running the course in 19 minutes and one second to finish sixth. WACO sophomore Keriran Luitjens just missed a medal by finishing 11th in 19:36. Highland was paced by junior Jackson Schneider finishing 23rd, while Lone Tree was led by senior Jadin Grieser in 25th. The Lions will next join the Huskies, Warriors and Ravens at a 1A state qualifying meet in Iowa City on Thursday