Crossing the two-mile mark of Saturday's Fountain Central Cross Country Invitational, Western's Anna Hurlock and Annina Gruber were running side by side at the front with 70 meteres on the third-place runner.

Running along the trail through the woods, however, Gruber lost her footing and fell. Hurlock wint on to win the individual crown in 15 minutes, 29 seconds. Injured in the fall, Gruber recovered to finish 22nd and the Panthers took third in the 15-team meet.

Franklin Central finished with 37 points in first place while West Lafayette nipped Wester, 60-63, for second.

"Annina lost her footing, hurt her knee, and limped into the finihs line. It's an unfortunate thing that happened," Panther coach Dana Neer said. "She went from first or second to 22nd and that took some good points from us."

"Anna, what a great race for her. She and Annina were up in front at 800 meters and ath the mile, there were a few girls with them when the took off. This was Anna's first victory in an invitational. It's nice for her as a sophomore to be able to get that."

Finishing in a 19-second span were seniors Becky Elliott (11th), Megan Clearwaters (15th), and Jessi Muehr (19th). Cassie Myer wrapped things up in 34th.

"You could see some positives. We had four girls in the 16:00s in addition to Anna," Neer said. "Jessi ran one of the best reaces I've ever seen her run. She ran limited varsity last year. Her best was 18:59 before Thursday when she ran 18:00. Jessi saw Annina go down and ran 16:52. That's outstanding for a No. 6 runner.

"I'm very pleased with where the girls are. Beck and Megan are giving us tremendous leadership."

Boys Meet

Michael Marley led the Panthers to a fifth-place team finish, just four points behind Harrison in fourth and took seventh individually. Seventh-ranked Franklin Central ran away with the title, scoring 18 points. Second went to West Lafayette with 64.

Luke Minor and Trevor Mann were next for Western in 18th and 21st.

"The last kilometer is very difficult. It's hilly with trails and water. It's a challenge for the kids," Patnther coach Dana Neer said. "For us to come in fifth without Eric Walsh running yet was very good. We mathced or bettered the times we ran on a flat course Thursday.

"Shawn Parkins[27th], Trevor Mann and Moshe Rison[31st] are improving daily. They're earning dividends from their training."