Four top-10 individual finishes helped lift the International Falls girls cross country team to victory at Tuesday’s Ely Invitational.

The Falls finished first with 33 points, followed by Mesabi East (51) and Ely (81).

Broncos freshman Lexi Erickson won the girls race by finishing first on the 4,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 34 seconds.

The three Falls seniors who also finished in the top 10 included: Sydney Raboin, third in 16:55; Lexi Owen, seventh in 18:07; and Amy Auran, ninth in 18:41.

“The girls ran well and it was nice to see some others stepping up,” Auran said. “The hills were a battle, but we all overcame them and pushed to the finish. I am excited to see what our team’s future holds.”

Junior Jenna Anderson ended up as the Broncos’ fifth finisher to count toward the team total by placing 13th in 19:25.

Bronco boys third

The Falls finished third in the boys competition with 68 points. Virginia had the top team score at 37 with Ely placing second with 48.

Falls’ best individual finish came from junior Cole Tatsak, who placed fourth on the 5,000-meter course in 19:31.

The other top-10 individual finish for the Bronco boys came from senior Wyatt Ulrich, who placed seventh in 19:59.

“If we keep pushing over our comfort zone, like (Tuesday) with the hills, we will keep improving all the way to the end,” Ulrich said. “It’s fun seeing our team getting better.”

Falls eighth-grader John Cowman placed 13th in 20:39, while junior Billy Brokaw came in 19th in 21:19 and junior Ben Erickson finished 25th in 22:11 as the other runners who counted toward the team total.

Ely Invitational

GIRLS

Team scores: International Falls 33, Mesabi East 51, Ely 81.

International Falls runners: 1. Lexi Erickson, 16:34; 3. Syndey Raboin, 16:55; 7. Lexi Owen, 18:07; 9. Amy Auran, 18:41; 13. Jenna Anderson, 19:25; 17. Faith Black, 20:14; 22. Lexi Edwards, 20:49.

BOYS

Team scores: Virginia 37, Ely 48, International Falls 68.

International Falls runners: 4. Cole Tatsak, 19:31, 7. Wyatt Ulrich, 19:59; 13. John Cowman, 20:39; 19. Billy Brokaw, 21:19; 25. Ben Erickson, 22:11; 27. Chase Howdahl, 22:33; 28. Gary Harala, 22:59.