By Caitlin Fowlds

 

The ZIS cross country team sent runners to London and Lugano on Friday, to compete in two meets held by various TASIS (The American School in Switzerland) schools.

 

In London, there were eight schools, including ASL (American School of London), and ACS (American School of Cobham), who are both in Division One in ISSTs (International School Sports Tournament) this year.

 

The weather was sunny in London, and the course consisted of two loops which lead to a large hill. Despite the strong competition, ZIS rose to the challenge and performed well. All four of the girls racing in the High School category placed in the top 7. Caitlin Fowlds ('17) placed 1st and Hannah Friedrichs ('17) placed 3rd in the Varsity race, while Isabelle Mullens ('19)  Julia Jeker ('18) placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the JV race.

 

The Varsity boys also proved themselves to be strong competitors in London with Leon Cerjak ('17) , Matthew Wilmot ('17) and Anton Stubberud ('17) placing 4th, 7th and 14th respectively in the Varsity boy's race. Theodore Tang-Peronard ('17) came 1st in the Junior Varsity boy's race. The Varsity and JV boy's teams both placed highly in the competition.

 

Meanwhile in Lugano, the ZIS team thrashed TASIS in a friendly meet, with 18 runners coming in the top 23 places. Marco Landwehr ('15) and Liam Castelli ('18), finished 1st and 2nd in the race and both ran the 5km in less than 20 minutes. Claire Cole ('15) won the girl's race with ease.

 

The cross country team still has races in Munich and around Switzerland, ending the season with ISSTs being hosted by ZIS. Upper School Coach Mr. Brook Mullens and the rest of the team are gearing up with hopes of winning ISSTs division one for a third consecutive year.