Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ellie Knox of St. Edmond races her way to third place in the Gold Division of the Webster City Invitational on Tuesday evening. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

WEBSTER CITY — The St. Edmond girls backed up their performance from Week 1 with another strong showing in their second outing here on Tuesday.

The Gaels, who were outside of the preseason rankings, jumped to No. 6 in Class 1A after finishing second at Southeast Valley.

It was another runner-up effort for the Gaels (49) at the Webster City Invitational, as head coach Mike Szalat’s squad was second to only 19th-ranked Roland-Story (2A) in the Gold Division.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Alyssa Richman repeated as a Lynx Invite champ in the same bracket. After her strong race in Week 1 at Gowrie, the newly minted top runner in Class 2, cruised to the victory.

Richman crossed the finish line in 19:00.60. The all-stater in both cross country and track, cut 13 seconds off her winning time a week ago in Gowrie.

The Gaels had a strong pack at the top, finishing second and third individually. Their Top-5 all placed in the first 16 of the bracket.

Junior Anna Lursen (21:14.30) was the runner-up, while senior Ellie Knox (21:50.10) grabbed bronze.

“I thought we ran well,” said SEHS head coach Mike Szalat. “We got out slower, and Anna and Ellie ran their race to perfection. Our third, fourth and fifth were a tad slower, but if we err that way, we can learn from it.”

Freshman Naomi Valles (23:56.10) was 13th, while sophomores Lily Eslick (24:01.90) and Nina Smith (24:08.70) took 15th and 16th, respectively.

Alex Leiting crossed in 21st. Betsy Gruver was 32nd.

“Both teams really collect the information and data we give them and use it to improve,” Szalat said. “We got beat by Roland-Story, and they’re no slouch.

“We have four new girls on varsity. We’re still a work in progress. They are like sponges when it comes to what we are trying to teach them.”

Algona’s Mara Davis (21:53.30) was fourth. Bulldog teammate Malyn Davis (23:55.40) ended up 12th.

Humboldt junior Brynn Malo (21:14.70) finished fifth. Fellow Wildcat Aubry Fisher (21:47.00) was 10th.

Fort Dodge, which competed in the Purple Division for larger schools, was led by senior Madeline Stephan (24:46.30, 30th).

“Maddie was getting some even splits,” said FDSH head coach Joe Jackson. “The freshmen girls are coming along, as many dropped 30 to 45 seconds and are improving their results.”

Freshman Paisley Mundie (25:22.90) followed, with sophomore Saiya Noborikawa (26:06.10), freshmen Laila Grantham (26:24.70) and Zoey Balm (26:41.20), and senior Paige Lewis (26:44.70) filling out places 33 through 37 for the Dodgers.

Madison Carmody was 41st.

“The girls were consistent and tightened that first mile with the second,” Jackson said. “They stuck with the plan of getting out slowly, increasing, then holding a steady pace.”

The Dodgers are back in action next Thursday when they travel to Marshalltown.

The Gaels will run in the CYO Meet in Holstein on Saturday, Sept. 14.

WEBSTER CITY INVITATIONAL

(Tuesday’s results)

Girls Gold Team Standings

1. Roland Story 37; 2. St. Edmond 49; 3. Hampton-Dumont/CAL 104; 4. South Hamilton 107; 5. Algona 107; 6. Manson Northwest Webster 150; 7. Eagle Grove 182; 8. Southeast Valley 186.

Girls Gold Individual Leaders

1. Alyssa Richman, Manson Northwest Webster, 19:00.60; 2. Anna Lursen, St. Edmond, 21:14.30; 3. Ellie Knox, St. Edmond, 21:50.10; 4. Mara Davis, Algona, 21:53.30; 5. Claire Truesdell, Roland-Story, 21:59.40.

St. Edmond — 2. Anna Lursen 21:14.30; 3. Ellie Knox 21:50.10; 13. Naomi Valles 23:56.10; 15. Lily Eslick 24:01.90; 16. Nina Smith 24:08.70; 21. Alex Leiting 24:46.50; 32. Betsy Gruver 26:32.10.

Girls Purple Team Standings

1. Ballard 39; 2. Gilbert 46; 3. North Polk 64; 4. Humboldt 98; 5. Boone 131; 6 Fort Dodge 163.

Girls Purple Individual Leaders

1. Alexis Hergenreter, North Polk, 19:49.20; 2. Annika Larson, Ballard, 20:16.30; 3. Sarah Feddersen, Gilbert, 20:41.40; 4. Brynn WIlson, Ballard, 20:59.00; 5. Brynn Mao, Humboldt, 21:14.70.

Fort Dodge — 30. Madeline Stephan 24:46.30; 33. Paisley Mundie 25:22.90; 34. Saiya Noborikawa 26:06; 35. Laila Grantham 26:24.70; 36. Zoey Balm 26:41.20; 37. Paige Lewis 26:44.70; 41. Madison Carmody 27.31.30.