ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Seniors Miranda Myers and Peyton Bilo led the varsity team with top-three finishes at the season-opening Oakmont Invitational Saturday at Maidu Park.

The Troubadours finished third as a team behind Oak Ridge and Woodcreek. St. Francis also had strong showings in the Frosh/Soph and JV races. Freshman Ava Nkadi won the first race of the day in her first high school performance, crossing the line in 15:17. Junior Juliet Batturaro won the JV race in 17:24. All three races were at the 4K distance to open the season.

“It was a very good start,” said Assistant Coach Mason Myers. “We had several PRs compared to last year and we are real happy to see the results of the summer training.”

Myers led the majority of the race before Woodcreek’s Angela DiPentino edged her down the stretch.

“We went out really well and told everyone to not go out too fast,” said Miranda. “We went out in a good pack and stayed together. It was a good start.”

DiPentino posted a time of 14:34 with Myers in second in 14:39 and classmate Bilo in third in 14:42. Junior Chase Worthen clocked a time of 15:51 to cross 14th overall.

“It was very encouraging to see her come back from being injured last spring,” said Myers on Bilo. “She started out in a very healthy and positive way. Chase also had a nice PR and continues to develop into a nice cross country runner.”

Bilo was 30th at the state meet as a sophomore in 2012 helping the team to a second-place finish but missed most of the cross country and track seasons in 2013-14.

“It feels great to be back,” said a smiling Bilo after the race. “I have been working really hard over the summer and it is finally starting to pay off. With teammates like Miranda and rest of the varsity girls, it is really easy to stay motivated and get back to where I used to be.”

Juniors Ariane Arndt and Gabrielle Dyer were 22nd and 23rd overall in 16:15 and 16:17, respectively.

Nkadi posted a time in the Frosh/Soph race that would have been among the top five in the varsity race, showing her potential to move up during the season.

“She ran alone by herself the entire race,” said Myers. “Our philosophy is to run freshmen down the first couple races. There is no doubt if she continues on her fine performances that she will be running varsity in a few short weeks.”

The team is off this week before returning to racing on Sept. 13 at the Ed Sias Invitational in Martinez.

“We are encouraged by the team and individual performances today,” said Myers.

It was the debut performance for the team in their new Adidas uniforms that are also worn by the top teams in the NCAA including UCLA, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The uniform is sublimated preventing any fading or bleeding with the marks dyed into the fabric. They are the lightest weight technology uniforms in the industry.

Girls Cross Country

Oakmont Invitational

Team results: Oak Ridge 38, Woodcreek 4, St. Francis 64. Folsom 105, Roseville 123, Whitney 175, Union Mine 194, Oakmont 211, Center 213, Marysville 276.

Individual results:DiPentino, W, 14:34; Myers, SF, 14:39; Bilo, SF, 14:42; Mason, W, 15:03; M. Denner, OR, 15:21; E. Denner, OR, 15:22; Hendrickson, OR, 15:27; Alhamad, F, 15:30; Dolley, OR, 15:45; Zortinan, W, 15:45.

Other St. Francis: 14. Worthen, 15:51; 22. Arndt, 16:15; 23. Dyer, 16:17.