The Union Catholic cross-country teams opened its season with several impressive performances at the Roxbury Invitational on Saturday at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna.

In the girls competition, sophomore Abby Granrath led the charge for the Vikings by placing 12th in 19:48  to help Union Catholic place fourth in the Fatsest 4 race. Senior Zoe Lee placed 17th in 19:59, junior Morgan Williams was 24th in 20:28, and senior Ashleigh Patterson was 29th in 20:33. The Vikings averaged 20:12 and finished with 77 points, just 21 behind Voorhees, firs with 56.

The girls also had a very strong showing in the Future 4 race as rising star Kathryn Power hammered her way across the line in second place in 20:02, the fastest time of the day for a freshman, to spark the Vikings to a runner-up finish. UC, which placed second to Mendham, 21-40, also picked up a fourth place from freshman Maameyaa Nyinah (20:13), a 13th place from sophomore Daniela Peralta (21:21), and 25th from senior Morgan Jackson (22:24).

In the boys competition, sophomore Myles Plummer ran 16:20 to place 13th in the Fastest 4 race. Senior Zach Turner finished 57th in 17:25, senior Andrew Palacio was 63rd in 17:32.

Junior Sam Hernandez led the way for the Vikings in the Future 4 race by placing 24th in 17:38 to help UC place 10th with 164 points.Sophomore Noah Alston was 27th in 17:43, sophomore Noah Handlin was 63rd in 18:40, and senior Dan Labrie finished 64th in 18:41.