After a two-year hiatus, the Dons cross-country team opened their season with a great day at the Lowell Invitational in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Saturday. The event featured over 70 high schools from all over the Bay Area and beyond in a huge day-long meet along scenic trails in the west end of the park. Everyone brought their enthusiasm, spirit and training to the meet!! 

In the morning session on a 2.13 mile course, Acalanes was led by Abigail Palmer (16:34) in the Frosh-Soph girls division, Nathan Joseph (14:32) in Frosh Boys, and Levi Johnson (14:09) in Soph Boys. In the afternoon session on a 2.93 mile course, Sadie Poole (22:11) was the Dons top finisher in JV girls and freshman TJ Cronin (17:24) led the JV boys to 5th place in their division against a deep division of powerhouse schools.

As the afternoon rolled on, both Acalanes Varsity teams delivered impressive performances. The Varsity girls had a stellar overall performance in easily winning 1st place in their division and taking four of the top 12 finishes in their field of 154 girls. Olivia Williams (16:51), who quickly left after her race to join the Dons’ water polo team, blazed to 3rd place overall with teammates Lauren Yee (17:50), Megan Yee (17:59), and Elle Casselman (18:10) also posting terrific times to finish in the top 12. The Varsity boys (pictured above at starting line) followed up with another strong team performance with Tyler Hunt (15:16) leading the way and Bennett Dodge (15:33), Loic Windfuhr-Durand (15:44), and Logan Farzan (15:48) all finishing in the top 48 in a field of 174 runners, which yielded a 9th place finish for the team out of 28 schools.

As Coach Jeff Hutson said, “All in all, it was an inspiring way to begin our season!! The team of 50 plus athletes is pumped and ready to hit the trail for what looks to be a promising season for Acalanes cross country!”  

The Dons will look to continue their strong performance at the De La Salle Nike Invitational next Saturday.