By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

Pelham’s Mary Grace Strozier led Shelby County runners with a second place finish at the 21st Annual Husky Challenge at Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 20.

Strozier ran the 5k event in 18:31.58 behind Mountain Brook’s Jessica Molloy who won the girls’ race with a time of 17:47.71. Claire Vaughn joined Strozier in the top-20 with a time of 20:38.29 for 19th place.

Emily Stevens led Oak Mountain to a third place team finish by taking ninth with a time of 19:37.44.

Other county runners include Victoria Saenz of Indian Springs finished in 10th place with  time of 20:02.06, Erika Kulp of Thompson with a time of 20:38.59 for 20th place and Spain Park’s Jessica Bilek with a 27th place finish with a time of  21:00.66.

Pelham’s Andrew Givan took 10th place in the boys’ race to lead area runners. Givan finished the 5k race with a time of 16:36.50.

Thompson’s Michael Johnson (16:56.18) and Mark Ferrel of Spain Park (16:58.04) joined Givan in the top-20 with 16th and 20th place finishes respectively.

Area teams are preparing for the sectional meet to be held at Hoover Veteran’s Park on Nov. 1.