WL girls set to defend City/County cross country title

Bobbie Burgess’ record-setting effort led West Lafayette’s girls cross country team to a runner-up finish at Saturday’s Purdue Invitational.

The Red Devils will take that momentum into today’s City/County meet at the Tippecanoe Amphitheater.

Burgess broke meet and course records by winning Saturday’s race in 18:31.83. That’s also the fastest 5K time for a Red Devils girl during an in-season meet.

Carmel runners finished second through fifth, and the two-time defending state champions totaled 27 points. West Lafayette, with Cailey Daluga, Delaney Barber and Lauren Johnson finishing seventh through ninth, totaled 36 points.

In the boys race, Jake Cohen’s 15th-place effort led West Lafayette to sixth place. Harrison, with Jacob Payne placing 25th, finished eighth.

Burgess and the Red Devil girls will attempt to defend championships at today’s City/County meet.

McCutcheon is the defending boys champion after edging West Lafayette by two points last season. The Red Devils’ Zane Cooperider and Andrew Cartwright won the last two individual titles.

Faith Christian will also compete in the City/County meet for the first time. The meet begins at 5 p.m.