Marshall freshman Lauren McGrath cut two minutes off her time to earn her first varsity medal at the Excelsior Springs Invitational. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Senior Matt Bledsoe (18:01) led the pack with a 10th-place finish, more than two minutes faster than his time on the course in 2006 -- the meet having been rained out last year. Senior Phillip Perkins (18:15) came in 15th, sophomore Damon Thompson (18:31) 24th and senior Alex Jenkins (18:44) 29th in a field of 85 runners.

Sophomore Nick Jenkins (19:06) was in 39th place, the Owls' last scoring position -- although the official tally is presently unknown after been wiped out when the computer file was accidentally erased, according to meet officials.

Sophomore Katie Wells (20:56) was third out of 61 entries to lead the Marshall girls. Freshman Lauren McGrath knocked nearly two minutes off her personal record to finish 29th for her first varsity medal.

Meanwhile, freshman Arozo Shahabzada (23:13) wasn't feeling well and struggled to a 34th-place performance, the first time in six meets she hasn't been in the medal picture. Sophomores Stormy Morrison (23:56) and Chanelle Koehn (25:37) wound up 46th and 56th, respectively.

The Owls had five finish in the top 23 in the 85-runner junior varsity boys' race, led by freshman Logan Simmons (19:45) in ninth with a new personal best. Junior Henry Yeagle (19:54), sophomore Jeremy Jalilvand (19:58) and junior Keeper Kays (20:00) were in the 11th through 13th spots, with junior Michael Piechoinski (20:47) rounding out Marshall's medal count.

The top finisher among the Lady Owls' JV was junior Jennifer Simmons (26:47) in 47th place in a field of 69 entries.

Marshall will be back on the course Saturday at the Clinton Invitational.