Union harrier Olivia Schildroth races toward the finish line with determination at the 2026 Starmont Cross Country Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Arlington. Schildroth finished 55th out of 124 finishers. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

ARLINGTON – In a welcome change from past years, the 2026 Starmont Cross Country Invitational featured significantly cooler (albeit muddier) weather for the more than 25 teams competing Tuesday, Sept. 15, in rural Arlington, including the Union Knights who were paced by sophomore Olivia Schildroth and junior Tristan Keister in their respective races.

In the girls varsity race, Schildroth finished 55th out of 124 finishers with a time of 23 minutes, 41.10 seconds. Senior Katie Jackson was close behind, finishing 63rd and setting a personal record in 23:33.70, per Shannon Event Timing.

Additional finishes for the Lady Knights included Kayla Toenges 92nd, Annie Parson 105th, Ainsley Miller 111th, Linkyn Vaughn 115th, and Lucy Grimm 122nd.

The girls varsity race was won by Maquoketa Valley eighth-grade phenom Josalyn Burlage who finished in 19 minutes, 6.20 seconds, setting a personal record. Burlage was ranked third in Class 1A by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches ahead of the meet.

Starmont’s own senior Lauren Krogmann, ranked No. 1 prior to the meet, took silver with 19:36.80 after barely making it across the finish line before collapsing.

Members of the Union Knights varsity girls cross country team, including Katie Jackson (2034), sprint at the sound of the starting gun during the 2026 Starmont Cross Country Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Arlington. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Out of 16 scoring teams, Maquoketa Valley took first with 44 points, followed by Waukon in a distant second with 106 points, and Oelwein in third with 139. Union was 15th with 375 points, ahead of Vinton-Shellsburg in last place with 393.

Union’s top finisher in the varsity boys race was Tristan Keister who came in 20th with a time of 18 minutes, 26.80 seconds out of 120 total runners.

Additional finishes for the Knights included Cayden Stoneman 67th, Phineas Beermann 76th, Ian Grimm 116th, and Jagger Meier 119th.

The boys race was won by Oelwein junior Kaiden Irvine in a personal record 16:28.30.

Dike-New Hartford won the meet with 88 points out of 17 scoring teams, followed by Waukon (105) and Oelwein (117). Union boys were 16th with 362 points.

Sandwiched by runners from Columbus Catholic and Turkey Valley, several members of the Union Knights boys cross country team take off at the start of the 2026 Starmont Cross Country Invitational varsity boys race, Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Arlington. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER