Smithton, IL — Carterville continued their steady climb up the cross-country rankings this Saturday at the Freeburg Invitational. The varsity girls got things rolling in a big way with all six runners setting season or lifetime bests, including Lane Sambursky breaking 19 minutes for the first time, and Claire Samples lowering her personal record by over a minute. These performances netted the varsity team a top four finish and a top nine leaderboard ranking in the southern sectional. The JV girls followed with equally impressive marks, with all runners setting personal bests. Kyla Waller, Kaitlynn Specker, and Rose Balmforth lowered their best times by more than a minute, carrying the team to a runner-up finish. The boy’s races were equally consistent. August Anderson led the varsity boys by finishing third overall against a field of multiple all-state contenders. He was backed up by a pack of lions, with runners 2-7 finishing within 40 seconds, including another personal best by Nick Wilhelm and a season-best by Rowan Beyke. This solid showing was enough to beat southern section competitors Troy and Waterloo, finish top four in the meet, and move the lions up to #24 in the state rankings. The JV boys finished things off with a third place finish, led by Jake Wilhelm and Jack Robertson, who both finished in the top 20, and supported by personal bests from Ashby Stottler and Grayson Slack. Carterville cross-country will rest this weekend and be back in action at the Centralia Invitational on Saturday, October 11th.