The Chesterton girls cross country opened its season with a victory in the Jack Bransford Classic at LaPorte on Tuesday afternoon.

The Trojans scored 31 team points to beat Andrean (53), LaPorte (66) and Mishawaka Marian (78).

“We’re pushing through these early meets, especially this one,” Chesterton coach Brian Carden said. “But, I felt like we ran ok and had more positives than negatives.”

Melanie Buckmaster (21:06) and Kim St. Pierre (21:08) led the way for the Trojans with a third and fourth place finish. Hannah Hoffman (7th, 21:29) and Nora Schultz (8th, 21:31) followed in the top 10.

“I know we were a little tired and the grass was high so the times weren’t great,” Carden said. “There’s plenty of excuses to use early in the year. You always wish the times were a little faster.”

Chesterton returns to the course on Saturday in Indianapolis at the Carmel Classic.

“We go down to Carmel this weekend and see where we compare to them,” Carden said. “Hopefully it’ll be a fast course and we’ll run some good times.”

1. Chesterton, 31; 2. Andrean, 53; 3. LaPorte, 66; 4. Mishawaka Marian, 78.

1. Elena Lancioni (L), 20:40; 2. Becca Conley (A), 21:05; 3. Melanie Buckmaster (C), 21:06; 4. Kim St. Pierre (C), 21:08; 5. Alyssa Gerick (L), 21:16; 6. Gabi Skwarcan (MM), 21:21; 7. Hannah Hoffman (C), 21:29; 8. Nora Schultz (C), 21:31; 9. Haley Cushway (C), 21:46; 10. Brianna Martinez (A), 21:54.

Other Chesterton finishers: 12. Molly Stauffer, 22:00; 13. Jenna Norgaard, 22:06; 14. Linda Graff, 22:17; 15. Katie Haggerty, 22:28; 18. Katie Zelenika, 22:54; 20. Erin Socha, 23:21.

Posted 8/25/2010