With many of the state's top teams competing, Brother Martin made a strong statement at the Schommer Invitational Cross Country Meet at City Park Saturday.

With many of the state's top teams competing, Brother Martin made a strong statement at the Schommer Invitational Cross Country Meet at City Park Saturday.

The Crusaders of Ryan Gallagher took home first place among the 14 boys teams entered. Defending state champion Catholic (Baton Rouge) was second with Jewel Sumner finishing third and Jesuit fourth. Shaw placed fifth overall.

Catholic's Cole Stafford finished first in the individual competition with Barrett Miller of Catholic finishing second. The top area finishers included Leonel Moreno of Jewel Sumner, who finished third, Brother Martin's Daniel Nally (fourth) and Nick Franco, who came in fifth.

In the girls competition, St. Joseph's (Baton Rouge) won the team competition with Ursuline finishing second. Dominican was third with McGehee fourth and Chapelle fifth. St. Joseph's dominated the individual competition, with its runners placing one through nine.