The annual Chester Cross Country Invitational featured over 150 varsity runners Thursday at  Randolph County Lake.
In the combined team competition, Waterloo took first place with 197, points followed by Lawrenceville (202), Columbia (209), Metro-East Lutheran (219), Marissa-Coulterville (262), Pinckneyville (281), Nashville (302), Chester (307), New Athens (371),  and Carterville (529).
Lawrenceville traveled over three hours to compete in the invitational, but the long bus ride didn’t affect the boys team as they took first with 68 points, followed by Marissa-Coulterville (102), Metro-East Lutheran (102), Pinckneyville (120), Waterloo (152), Columbia (156), Chester (157), New Athens (160), Nashville (169), Steeleville (199), Carterville (326) and Lebanon (329).
For the Meteors, Chazz Phelps led his team with a fifth place showing, followed by Joey Martin (sixth), Clint Runyon (21st), Elijah Burton (28th), Kevin Galle (42nd), Austin Place (57th) and Joey Smith (69th).
The Panthers were led by AJ Ross’ ninth place finish and Shay Kellerman’s 11th place showing. Other top runners for Pinckneyville included Zach Hall (27th), Luke Miller (30th), Jacob Loos (43rd),  Josh Kuberski (46th) and Dustin VanMeter (59th).
For the host Yellow Jackets, Brant McMillian led the way by taking 14th followed by Devin Valleroy (23rd), Chad Koenegstein (24th), Link Cushman (32nd), Brent Knop (64th), Terry Jones (65th) and Jeff Beers (73rd).
Leading the way for the Warriors were Keith Hamilton (12th), Coire Reel (29th), Reid Wilson (44th), Dylan Wesbechar (47th), Colin Smith (67th), Jon Polly (68th) and James Hall (72nd).
The girls competition came down to Waterloo and Columbia as the (Waterloo) Lady Bulldogs edged out their Monroe County rivals by eight points. Waterloo took first with 45 points, followed by Columbia (53), Metro-East Lutheran (117), Nashville (133), Lawrenceville (134), Chester (150), Marissa-Coulterville (160), Pinckneyville (161), Carterville (203) and New Athens (211).
The Lady Jackets were paced by Taylor Yankey (16th), Emily Reid (28th), Laura Liefer (30th), Hanna Knop (37th), Jillian Yankey (39th), Courtney Johnson (56th) and Morgan Colvis (65th).
For the Lady Meteors, Abbie Lehman took ninth to lead her squad while Paige Phelps took 27th, Joanna Schmidt finished in 36th place, Ashley Lehmen took 40th, Carleigh Baker finished in 48th place and Christa Hill took 57th.
The Lady Panthers were led by Emily Miller (18th), Katrina Henson (29th), Paige Brocaille (31st), Sarah Loos (41st), Mallory Timpner (42nd), Kiera DeFord (54th) and Dani Jenkel (55th).