Mandeville’s boys and girls varsity cross country teams cruised past the field last Thursday both capturing team titles in the Brother Martin Cross Country Invitational held at City Park in New Orleans on a muddy course.

MHS coach Gerald Singer said the Skippers turned in strong performances.

“It was a muddy mess on the course. Anytime you can beat brother Martin on their own turf you have to be pleased with the results,” Singer said. The Skippers’ boys’ varsity team placed five runners in the top 10 out of the field of 170 runners and 12 teams.

MHS won the team title with 32 points edging host Brother Martin (33) led by senior Bryan Mutell (17:42), who earned a second place individual finish, behind Redemptorist’s Joseph LeGrange (17:09). Brother Martin grabbed the next three positions with Daniel Nally (17:50) third followed by Nick Franco (17:59) and Christian Clesi (18:11). Mandeville solidified its race taking the next four spots with Jordan Penton (18:18) in sixth followed by Mary van Duym (18:19), Steven Hollander (18:24) and Henry Gerbracht (18:25) in ninth. Brother Martin’s Lawrence Stansberry (18:41) rounded out the top 10.

Jesuit (158) finished third in the boys’ competition followed by Redemptorist (173) and East St. John (264). First Baptist Christian School (317) turned in a nice showing coming in sixth led by Caleb Earhart (19:29) finishing in 29th place. Lakeshore High School (577) earned a 10th place finish with Jonathan Andersson (20:40) coming in 53rd place to lead the Titans.

Singer said Mutell did an excellent job taking second place.

“Bryan ran a real smart race keeping in contact with the lead group throughout the race. He made a good effort trying to catch the race winner (LeGrange) around the two-mile mark,” he said.

Other local boys’ finishers included: 16. James Michel, MHS, 18:58; 17. David Susko, MHS, 19:03; 22. Tucker Algero, MHS, 19:19; 39. Christian McCabe, FBCS, 19:59; 62. Michael Pashkevich, LHS, 20:50; 67. Taylor Brown, FBCS, 21:01; 68. Taylor Heck, MHS, 21:03; 88. Anthony Benasco, FBCS, 96. Craig Schayot, FBCS, 22:48; 104. Joey Hernandez, MHS, 23:02; 142. Gray Gilbert, MHS, 25:36; 145. Michael Vedros, LHS, 25:40; 153. Robert Lenahan, LHS, 26:39; 154. Jarred Janssen, MHS, 26:41; 164. Richard Sabatier, LHS, 29:39 and 168. Drew Raspino, LHS, 31:48.

Mandeville’s Lady Skippers (30) proved to be the class of the field taking the team title followed by Chapelle (76) and Chalmette (129) took third.

First Baptist Christian School sixth grader Gabrielle Jennings continued to excel winning the individual title with a time of 22:27. Mandeville placed four runners in the top 10 out of the 56 runner field led by Elizabeth Manuel (23:23) in second followed by Ashley Irwin (23:53), Ashley Gussoni (24:42) and Elaine Burbank (24:44). MHS also placed four more runners in the top 20 with Jennifer Ernst (25:32) in sixteenth place. Gabby Carter (25:41) took 18th followed by Caroline Limbaugh (25:47) and Kelly Buddell (25:57).

Lakeshore High had four runners compete led by 24. Mattie Schmolke, 26:32; 31. Cari McCurley, 27:53; 41. Jenna Songy, 31:15 and 47. Lynne Lundsgaard 32:59.

The 7-5A Crosscountry District Championships is scheduled this afternoon at Fontainebleau State Park. The girls’ junior varsity takes to the course at 3 o’clock followed by the varsity girls. The boys’ JV follows and the boys’ varsity race concludes the action.