The South Whidbey cross country team traveled to the mainland Saturday to compete against some of the biggest schools in the state.

The occasion was the Edmonds Invite. Of the 11 schools attending, all were 3A or 4A running powerhouses.

Except 2A South Whidbey.

“It is a good test for the kids to find out where they are and get used to racing again,” said Falcon coach Doug Fulton.

The girls team placed sixth, helped by freshman Lillianna Stelling, who finished first for the Falcons in 14 minutes, 38.68 seconds over the flat 2.2-mile course at Edmonds-Woodway High School.

Stelling was followed by Chantal White (15:11.04), Taya Jae (15:51.24), Jessica Cary (15:53.26), Marina Kovic (16:39.16) and Audrey Digerolamo (16:49.46).

Ben Saari was the top boy Falcon in 12:27.48, followed by Blake Koszarek (12:33.65), Scott Warwick (13:46.58) and Will Zink (14:40.92).

White fully admitted she didn’t do as well as she wanted.

“The later heats felt the warm day more than the earlier ones,” she said. “We all could have done better, and we will.”

At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, the cream of cross country racers arrives at Waterman Field for the big South Whidbey Invite.