The East Linn cross country teams ran well at the Chemawa Invitational on Oct. 15 despite another week of illnesses.

The women took second place, finishing behind Catlin Gabel, which is ranked No. 1 in the 1A/2A/3A ranks.

Blanchet was third, followed by Central Linn, Harrisburg, Salem Academy, Regis, Santiam Christian and Kennedy.

Zoe Engwall, who usually takes third for the Eagles, was sick and could not compete.

Hannah Whitehead took fifth overall in 21 minutes, 59 seconds to guide East Linn. Katelin Renfro, who ran but was less than 100 percent, was seventh in 22:09.

Lisl Ruckert came in 18th in 23:58 and Whitley Garber was 20th in 24:05.

Coach Gary Timms was pleased with Garber, who finished with the second-best time of her career.

"She's just been improving every week and she's determined and has a very good work ethic," Timms said.

QiQi Liu notched a career PR with a time of 26:22, good enough for 44th.

Kelsie Horner (46th, 26:35) and Autumn Short (65th, 28:19) rounded out East Linn's runners.

Timms was happy with how the women's team finished.

"Without Zoe I thought we had a very nice showing," he said.

Times were a little slower than usual because of the conditions.

"The course was pretty muddy and it affected everybody," Timms said. "Times were way down."

The men's team was more shorthanded than usual.

Freshman Kody Osbourne and Taylor Becker were unable to compete because they were sick, Timms said.

Matt Hitt was the Eagles' lone men's runner. He took 57th in 21:21.

East Linn hopes to be back to 100 percent on Thursday, when they compete at the TRC Challenge at Bush Park in Salem.