Paducah, KY — The Carterville cross country teams made the trip across the river to Paducah on Saturday, and both the boys and girls returned home as champions of the St. Mary Invitational. Taking on tough competition from Kentucky and Tennessee, the Lions proved they’re a force to be reckoned with on both sides. In the girls’ race, Carterville’s top six runners all placed inside the top 22, sealing the team’s championship with consistency across the board. Sophomore Lane Sambursky delivered another big performance, racing to a runner-up finish. She was followed closely by junior Lyla Seaman, who crossed the line in third place to give the Lions two athletes in the top three overall. With strong support behind them, the girls pulled away for the team title. On the boys’ side, Carterville proved just how deep its roster runs. Even without top runners Anderson and DeRuntz, the Lions stepped up in a big way and still captured the win over 12 other teams. Senior James Samples turned in a gutsy race for 4th overall, while Nick Wilhelm had a breakout performance, surging to 9th place. He was followed closely by Reece Scott, who claimed 10th, giving the Lions three runners inside the top ten. With all five scorers finishing 21st or better, Carterville left no doubt who owned the top spot. With both squads earning titles against out-of-state competition, the Lions continue to build momentum as the season progresses.