ADAMS TWP — Veteran Mars High School cross country coach Larry Young wasn't necessarily looking for competition.

He was seeking a crowd — and found one at the 50th annual McQuaid Invitational held recently at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester, N.Y.

The Planets competed in the boys and girls Class AA unseeded division. The boys race featured 42 schools and 300 runners. The girls event involved 45 schools and 345 runners.

“We could have bumped up and competed in the Class AA seeded category, but there were fewer teams and runners,” Young said. “I wanted my kids to experience running in a big crowd because that's what we'll be doing at the MAC and WPIAL championships.

“Getting them accustomed to that atmosphere and how you have to adjust as a runner was important.”

The McQuaid Invitational featured 25 total races and 6,000 runners, coming from nine states, Canada and Mexico.

Mars' boys won their division, totaling 104 points to runner-up Canandaigua's (N.Y.) 109. Planet senior Brendan Knox placed fifth overall, completing the course in 16 minutes and six seconds. Teammate Nathan Mrdjenovich was seventh, Jacob Porter 20th, Ben Luce 25th.

Luce, a senior, is in his first year of cross country. He is a member of the ultimate frisbee club team at Mars.

“It was intense, to say the least,” Luce said of the McQuaid experience. “The atmosphere was crazy.

“There were so many people lining the course, cheering runners on — probably three or four people for every runner. Bigger meets like this, I get pushed to go faster. I feel like they're cheering for me.”

Knox qualified for the state meet as a sophomore, but struggled last season, placing 43rd at the WPIAL meet. The top 30 individuals from the WPIAL race qualify for the PIAA competition.

“Getting into the top five at this (McQuaid) race showed me that I can do it,” Knox said. “I got off to an early lead and that's important when there's that many runners on the course.

“If you're not with the front of the pack, maintaining pace there, it's tough to gauge exactly where you're at in regards to the rest of the field.”

Mars competed in the McQuaid Invitational two years ago. Knox finished 21st that year.

“My goal is to place in the top five at the WPIAL meet,” Knox said. “This was good preparation for that.”

That's why Young took seven of his male runners and eight of his female runners to Rochester. Mars' girls placed second in the team competition with 161 points. Clarence High School, out of Buffalo (N.Y.), tallied 106 points.

“Races this size are hard to find,” said Young, who is in his fourth year as Mars coach, 29th overall in cross country. “When I coached at Gateway in the 1970s, I found the McQuaid and brought my team up there three years in a row.

“Had we competed in the Class AA seeded race this year, our (Mars) girls would have been fourth or fifth out of 17 teams, our boys seventh out of 19. We would have been competitive. But I wanted the big-meet experience.”

The three-mile course was primarily flat.

“Your legs had to move faster and the pace was quicker. That experience was good for all of us,” Knox said.

Sydney Cole was the top finisher for the Planet girls, placing 21st. Natalie Petrini was 24th, Emma Gentile 26th and Shannon McChesney 30th.

Mars will compete in the MAC Invitational Oct. 9, the WPIAL Championships Oct. 23. The PIAA Championships are Nov. 1.