Temperatures cooperated with cross country running over the weekend and the Carthage Lady Dawgs responded with excellent times and a third-place finish at the Spring Hill Invitational Meet on Saturday. Abbie Dierkes led the way for CHS, coming in fourth overall.
Carthage also posted a fourth-place finish overall in the girls' junior high division, with Jullissa DeJulian placing third overall.
The high school meet, held at Lear Park in Longview, involved 17 teams, and the Lady Dawg's third-place finish was definitely a team confidence booster, according to Lady Bulldog head coach Art Horton.
"The kids ran well, as always, but by finishing third it really gives them a spark for future events," Horton stated. "We welcomed the cooler conditions and I was very proud of the effort put forth by all the girls. They did a fantastic job."
Two of the Lady Dawgs were medalists as they finished in the top 15 at the event. Dierkes, a senior, ran fourth overall, while freshman Sutton Travis came in 13th.
Other Carthage girls competing were Chanah Osborne, Alysia Roberts, Kendi Hemphill, Sam Martin, Brianna Fuller, Caroline Horton and Danielle Zamazal.
There were 16 junior high squads competing at the invitational and a total of 164 runners involved, according to Horton.
In addition to DeJulian's third-place finish overall, Breanna Osborne placed 16th, Esmeralda Juarez came in 30th, Chloe Neuman ran 34th, Ashley Thompson placed 58th, Evelyn Osborne ran 59th and Brittney Jones was 61st.
Other Lady Bulldog runners participating included Kolby Green, Cassie Orbaugh, Rileigh Green, Alexis Brooks, Lexie Dawson, Destiny Buffin, Diana Garcia and Ahna Stacy.
Carthage runners will take this weekend off and return to competition on Saturday, Sept. 17, when they participate in the Stephen F. Austin Invitational in Nacogdoches.