WALNUT, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team placed three runners among the top 10 and finished fifth at the prestigious Mt. Sac Girls Sweepstakes race Saturday morning.

“We were able to beat several of the top rated teams in the state and it gave our girls a huge boost,” said assistant coach Mason Myers. “Matching up in the Mt. Sac Sweepstakes is a great dress rehearsal for the state meet.”

Senior Lauren LaRocco finished second overall in 17:17 behind Sarah Baxter from Simi Valley, who finished in 16:11. Senior Madison Rawson crossed the line second for St. Francis in fifth overall in 17:43, while junior Miranda Myers was 10th in 18:01.

“Our top five girls did a phenomenal job today of moving throughout the race,” said Myers. “Lauren was fourth with about 600 meters to go behind two Great Oak runners. Over the final 200 meters, Lauren put a hard close on to beat two of the top ranked girls in the state. Her time was amazing and to finish second overall in the race to the top distance girl in the nation, Sarah Baxter, is great for Lauren and the St. Francis program.”

The Troubadours were the only team with three athletes in the top 10, scoring 163 points overall to place fifth. Simi Valley captured the team title with 72 points, followed by Great Oak (73), La Costa Canyon (129) and Trabuco Hills (163). St. Francis was tied for fourth overall but lost the tiebreaker to earn the fifth-place finish.

Camille Boudreaux was 55th overall in 19:05 and Ariel Medina crossed 91st overall in 19:43. Chase Worthen ran 20:25 to finish 118th and Mallory Shingle was 126th in 20:45.

St. Francis competes again on Nov. 2 in the Delta River League Championships.

Mt. Sac Girls Sweepstakes Div. 1&2

Team results (Top 10): 1. Simi Valley 72; 2. Great Oak 73; 3. La Costa Canyon 129; 4. Trabuco Hills 163; 5. St. Francis 163; 6. Serrano 164; 7. Yucaipa 195; 8. Canyon (CC) 237; 9. Claremont 274; 10. Capo Valley 295.

Individual Results: 1. Sarah Baxter, SV, 16:11; 2. Lauren LaRocco, SF, 17:17; 3. Haley Dorris, GO, 17:19; 4. Destiny Collins, GO, 17:21; 5. Madison Rawson, SF, 17:43; 6. Addi Zerrenner, DP, 17:45; 7. Emma Abrahmson, LCC, 17:48; 8. Sabrina Hermann; TH, 17:56; 9. Melissa Fairchild, S, 18:01; 10. Miranda Myers, SF, 18:01.

Other St. Francis: 55. Camille Boudreaux, SF, 19:05; 91. Ariel Medina, SF, 19:43; 118. Chase Worthen, SF, 20:25; 126. Mallory Shingle, SF, 20:45.