The Montgomery County cross country season began on Sept. 12 with one of its runners celebrating a medal to kick off a high school cross country career.

Freshman Jaidyn Milligan was the Wildcats’ lone medalist at the Palmyra Invitational. She placed third with a time of 23:40 at the race, which was held at Flower City Park. The top 15 runners in the boys and girls races at Palmyra are awarded medals.

Milligan finished behind South Shelby’s Samentha Koper (first, 22:18) and Monroe City’s Bradi Keller (second, 22:22). Last year, she turned in an outstanding season at the middle school level that included a victory in the New Haven Invitational.

MCHS had seven runners compete at Palmyra, six of them participated in their first high school cross country race.

The Wildcats had five runners in the boys division and placed eighth with 206 points. Freshman Caleb Waters was the team’s top finisher, placing 21st with a 20:52. Junior Braydin Finch came in 52nd with a 25:23, junior Mason Pace finished 59th with a 26:13, freshman Dylan Finke was 74th with a 28:33 and freshman Ashton Hampton placed 83rd with a 34:47. All five runners competed in their first high school race.

Sophomore Anna Johnson was the other Wildcat who competed in the girls race. She placed 21st with a 26:19.

Johnson returned to the team this fall after enjoying a strong freshman season that included an all-Eastern Missouri Conference medal.

MCHS’ next meet is the South Callaway Invitational on Sept. 19.