REEDSVILLE – One of the official signs of the kickoff into the fall sports season is the running of the Big Valley Invitational. Entering its 51st year, one of the biggest cross country runs of the year again did not disappoint.

Running against over ten different teams, the Red Raiders stepped up their game and it showed in the final results. Again, Bellefonte cross country was well represented as it produced a solid performance from varsity to junior high.

“I was really pleased with the performances of both my MS & HS boys and girls today. They were solid from start to finish and as a team finished well to start the season,” said Bellefonte coach Kim Gasper. “My experienced boys (Jonathan Gasper & Maverick Muchmore) and girls (Natalie Jolley & Addison Fry) picked up where they left off last season.”

” My freshman boys and freshman girls (& 1 new junior) showed what putting in a solid summer of work can yield. We told them to celebrate the day and we will be ready to go back to work Monday,” she added.

The Bellefonte girls varsity team finished in 15th place overall after their run. In the front for the Red Raiders were Natalie Jolley and Addison Fry, with Jolley finished in 13th and Fry finishing in 20th with a time of 20:25.

Next up, came Emily Moretz, who came in 102nd with a 25:37, and Aalyn Cernuska, who came in 111th with a time of 26:07. Haddie Lutz followed, posting a 26:27 to take 120th. And rounding out the girls, Megan and Molly Showers ran times of 29:18 and 29:33 respectively, with Molly placing 144th.

In Bellefonte boys varsity action, the Red Raiders finished seventh overall.

Leading the way was Jonathan Gasper who finished just outside of the top 10, placing 11th with a final time of 16:16. Not far behind him at 22nd was Maverick Muchmore, with the junior finishing with a time of 17:20.

Finishing with a 51st placement was Gunther Kull with a 18:34. Following right behind Kull at 52nd place was Carson Fritchman, with a time of 18:40.

Soon after, Ethan Ethan Karmelita took 104th, crossing the finish line at 20:40. Kaiden Musser placed 118th, running a time of 21:21. And senior Phoenix Torres crossed the line at 140th with a 23:59 to round out the boys’ strong performance.

Things started out strong for the Bellefonte boys junior high team, as they finished sixth. Also finishing in sixth place was Bowen Williams, who led the Red Raiders with an 11:49. Alexander Giornesto also finished in the top 20, placing 19th with a mark of 12:43.

At 27th, Bellefonte’s Grady Stringer, placed with a time of 13:24. Teammate Jackson Wells, finished 39th, posting a 14:03. Austin Brumbaugh earned a 55th-place finish, rounding out the junior high team with a time of 15:21.

“Our middle school boys ran well lead by (Bowen Williams) that ran this invite last year and our middle school girls lead by (Alissa Kyte-Yech) also ran this invite last year and are showing growth. We are excited to see what they can do moving forward,” said Gasper.

The Bellefonte girls junior high team performed similarly, placing a solid fifth place overall.

Leading the way in 13th place was Alissa Kyte-Yech. Kyte-Yech hammered out a finishing time of 14:11. Next up was a 26th place finish by Ava Burns, as she got it done with a mark of 15:30.

Notching a 31st finish Emma Crater, who finished with a time of 15:48. At 37th, Zoe Musser, placed with a mark of 16:20. Sydney Smith’s time of 16:38 was strong enough to place 39th. And rounding out the Red Raiders Junior high finishers was Olivia Menna with a 17:12, who finished 43rd.