MONROE — The Blanchester High School girls cross country team finished fourth Monday in the season-opening Alex Fultz Invitational hosted by Monroe High School.

“We ran OK,” said Blanchester coach Tony Blevins. “We are very young and it was the first high school race for many of the girls; they were a little nervous and probably went out a little conservative.”

Savannah Rhodes of BHS was eighth overall in 22:48 while teammate Olivia Gundler was on her heels, finishing ninth in 22:49.

“Gundler really ran a nice race,” said Blevins. “Her main sport is soccer, but like Savannah she is a natural runner and has great potential. I look for most of the girls to drop a few minutes off their times over the next month.”

Cheyenne Rhodes was 28th in 27:54, Hope Florea 34th in 28:50, Elecia Patton 51st in 31:27 and Harley Henson 61st in 33:05.

Monroe won the meet and was followed by Middletown, Fenwick and Blanchester. Edgewood finished fifth and Fairborn sixth.

Rachel Ploeger of Monroe was the race winner in 21:06.