The Sparta cross country teams continue to make noise in early season competition. In the Murphysboro Invitational held this past weekend, the Sparta boys took second, while the Lady Bulldogs took first.
In the boys race for Sparta, Wade Reeves third place at 16:52, Jon Hill fourth place at 17:09,  Wes Bradshaw ninth place at 17:45,  Trevor Morgan 14th place at 18:15, Dustin Neff 15th at18:20, Adam White 16th at 18:25, and Chris Theobald 17th at 18:25.  “
“That's a pack time of 1:28 from our top five guys,” said Sparta coach Mark North. “Our goal is usually right around a minute so we're getting close.  Our 1-7 pack is only 1:40 and that can be devastating to other teams as we will put our 6-7 runners in front of most teams number four runner.”
Cape Girardeau Notre Dame took first place with 34 points followed by Sparta (45), Pinckneyville (97), Nashville (129), and Carterville (185). There were 12 class A teams at six class AA squads at the invitational. Sparta would have beaten all six class AA teams.  
The Sparta girls took first in the meet with 45 points followed by Cape Notre Dame (46), West Frankfort (94), Nashville (98) and Pinckneyville (123).
Leading Sparta was Aleigh Eggemeyer taking second place getting beat by another state champion in Margo Richardson from Mt. Vernon.  Last week the Busch twins from Freeburg got her.  “She ran a 19:59 on a 3.2 mile course, last year she ran the same course in 21:00 so she has really hit the ground running this year,” said North.
Melyssa Bradshaw was sixth with a time of 21:37, Kristina Wilson took eighth in 22:00, Kortney Stefani was 11th in 22:49, Jackie Robinson was 19th in 23:55 and Alexis Kohrs took 27th in 24:59.  
In the open race Clint Hawkins came in first in 18:56.