The annual Ray Wherley Invitational at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott was the first big meet for the Scorpions this season with 12 schools in attendance looking to claim the top prize.

Finding its way to the finish line faster than most of the teams, the Sedona Red Rock High School girls cross country team did well individually with two runners in the top five Saturday, Sept. 10.

Junior Mykala Seresun led the pack, taking first overall in Prescott on Saturday with a 16:58.67 time. The next closest runner was about 26 seconds behind in Catalina Foothills High School runner Maya Collier, who was second with a 17:24.75 time.

The other Scorpion runner in the top five was junior Eva Wilson, who finished fourth overall with a 17:55.23 time.

Sedona cross-country fans have gotten used to these two being in the top 10 at most races they go to, but this year’s Ray Wherley Invitational had several bigger schools in attendance. Most of those schools doubled, if not tripled, Sedona’s enrollment figures.

Junior Taylor Gage finished 29th overall with a 19:19.62 time while sophomore Tatiana Chionis took 50th with a 19:59.90 time.

Unfortunately for Sedona, the girls didn’t have enough runners in the top 50 and finished ninth overall.

Catalina Foothills took first while Mountain Ridge High School was second and Marcos de Niza High School rounded out the top three.

For the boys, senior Brandon Snickers finished in the top 20, taking 19th overall with an 18:23.75 time while sophomore Travis Okie was 34th overall with a 19:01.34 time.

Further down the line, senior Gabe Greenfield took 72nd overall with a 20:13.01 time while junior Zac Johnson was 76th overall at 20:24.66.

The Scorpions took a few days off this week before hitting the trail once again to train for the Artichoke Invitational at Scottsdale Community College on Saturday, Sept. 17. The race is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m.