The Cochrane Endurance Project has cross-country athletes from schools in Cochrane and beyond that have kicked off the high school track and field season on a high note.

In their first meet of the season at Canmore Park, the club's athletes registered some impressive times and placements.

Brendan Maguire and Nick Hooper, of St. Timothy High School, had a one-two finish in intermediate boys.

In senior boys, Terrell Keys, of Calgary's Centennial High, placed fifth. Santiago Arias Lara, of St. Tim's placed eighth. 

Caden Jones, also of St. Tim's, was seventh in junior boys.

Annika Fines, of Calgary's Sir Winston Churchill High, was third in intermediate girls. All from St. Tim's, Ellie Barlow was 18th in junior girls, Holly Moores was seventh in junior girls, Makenna Myatt was 11th in senior girls, and Heidi Moores was 19th in senior girls.

CEP head coach Travis Cummings says the event has a special vibe after missing the entire high school cross-country season in 2020.

"The kids were super excited. They were extremely happy to be able to represent their schools and be back with their friends. I've never seen so many smiles at a cross-country race."

The Endurance Project also has members who were competing in cross-country races for Cochrane High last weekend.

Next up in the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association is a meet tomorrow (Sept. 22) at St. Mary's University, followed by a Sept. 29 meet at Stanley Park. City championships will be held at St. Mary's University on Oct. 6.

CEP is also hosting an open event on Sept. 25 at the Canmore Park and is offering prize money for the open, men's, and women's races of $100, $50, and $25 for the top three in each race.