Michael Carter crosses the finish line first in Thursday’s cross country race at Mortimer Jordan, the first at the new school site. Carter’s time was 17:39 over the hilly course.

New, home, new course, same result.

Mortimer Jordan’s boys cross country team took five of the top seven places in their first home race of the season, led by Michael Carter’s time of 17:39, as they easily won the team competition with 19 points — just four points higher than a perfect 15.

Jordan’s Ben Barnett was second, with his brother Daniel in fourth place. Chase Downer captured third for Gardendale.

It was enough to put a smile  on the face of Devils coach Shayne Carnes.

“We’ve got some pretty good runners — two Barnetts and two Hollands,” Carnes said, referring to brothers Jake and Gatlin. “We’ve got six of seven guys right now that are finishing in the top 10. When you get that, you’ll be pretty successful. I have to tell them not to run sometimes, just to keep their legs under them.”

On the girls side, Gardendale won its first race of the season, easily beating Center Point and Hueytown, who tied for second.

The Eagles’ Chjeyenne Ponder won with a time of 23:13. Gardendale’s Brooke Graham and Alex Marting placed second and third, respectively.

BOYS

Team results: 1. Mortimer Jordan, 19; 2. Center Point, 63; 3. Gardendale, 83; 4. Pinson Valley, 110; 5. Hueytown, 133; 6. Fultondale, 171. Individuals: 1. Michael Carter, Jordan, 17:39; 2. Ben Barnett, Jordan; 3. Chase Downer, Gardendale; 4. Daniel Barnett, Jordan; 5. Jake Holland, Jordan.

GIRLS

Team results: 1. Gardendale, 36; 2. Center Point and Hueytown, 64 (tie). Individuals: 1. Cheyenne Ponder, Center Point, 23:13; 2. Brooke Graham, Gardendale; 3. Alex Martin, Gardendale; 4. Lindsey Williams, Jordan; 5. Hannah Haygood, Gardendale.