The Warren cross country team hosted Union City in a Region 4 dual meet this past Saturday.

The Dragons girls team defeated the Bears with senior Morgan Alexander leading the charge with a time of 20:50. Warren rounded out the top four spots with Riley Evan (21:26), Leona Hovan (21:59) and Ella Cull (24:43). Loralli Johnson finished with a time of 26:44 and Rose Rioux rounded out the Dragons with a time of 26:47.

“The girls team came out strong and took care of business in dominating fashion,” head coach Kevin Dustin said.

“We had a great race (Saturday),” Warren senior Morgan Alexander added. “Our girls team executed exactly what we needed to in order to secure the win. I’m excited to see how this season unfolds. I believe things are looking good for us.”

In boys action, Union City beat Warren. Union City’s Josh Mitcham earned first place with a time of 17:03. Warren’s Leyton Salvatore was right there with him, finishing with a time of 17:19. Cole Fitzgerald (17:42), Grayson Collopy (18:37), Chase Fetzeck (20:05), Gavin Heeter (23:01) and Mason Smith (26:14) all ran for the Dragons.

“The boys team is young with a lot of new faces and there will be some growing pains, but still a tough loss that hopefully we learn and grow from,” Dustin said.

Despite the close loss, sophomore Leyton Salvatore had a positive outlook on the meet.

“As a start to the season, I think this meet showed us what we need to work on to accomplish our end goal,” Salvatore said. “Our team is talented, but it’s going to take confidence and belief in order to reach and compete at the next level. Getting beat by one point is a punch to the gut, but it allows our team to acknowledge what can be improved upon for the rest of the season ahead.”

The Warren girls junior high squad also defeated the Bears with top two finishes by Nina Woldt (11:32) and Elsie Woldt (12:23). Delaney Moore (15:18), Ashlyn Zawacki (15:21) and Emilie Youngren (20:16) also contributed to the team win.

The Warren boys junior high team handled the Bears by claiming five out of the six top finishers. Ethan Gustafson (Warren) had the fastest time for the day with 11:45. Ashton Carrington (11:55), Connor Schwabenbauer (12:08), Cole Enos (12:23) and Mason Chapman (12:32) also finished strong for the Dragons. Zane Getner (12:49), Jackson Warner (12:57), Daniel Cull (13:20), Trenton Wright (14:15), Oliver Drescher (14:31), Liam Johnson (14:59), Chase Lindell, (15:02), Landon Lutton (15:50) and Eli Lutton (16:19) rounded out the junior high lineup on the day.

The Dragons are back in action this Saturday when they travel to the West Middlesex Big Red Invitational.