Even without its top runner, West Liberty-Salem’s girls cross country runner dominated the Division III district A race Saturday at Cedarville University.
The Big Orange, the top ranked team in the state, held out their top runner Megan Adams because of precautionary measures for asthma, but still nearly had a perfect score for a second straight week, and won a fourth consecutive district championship. It is the program’s 18th trip to the regional meet.
“It was a good day for us,” said WL-Salem girls head coach Ann Vogel. “We are stronger with Megan, but all you have to do is advance and we were able to do that.
“We felt comfortable even without Megan. It speaks volumes that we had two freshman to take the lead and go first and second. That’s the first time we’ve had a first and second at the district meet in the history of our program.”
The top four teams and top 16 individuals qualify to the regional meet Friday in Troy.
WL-Salem had the top four finishers in Saturday’s race and had six runners finish in the top 18 to win with 25 points. Versailles was runner-up with 50 points,
Anna came in third with 86 points and Russia was fourth with 97 points. Triad raced but did not record a team score.
Freshmen Addison McAuley and Ashley Yoder stepped up for the Big Orange by placing first and second, respectively. McAuley was the individual champion with a time of
18:49.5 and Yoder was second with a time of 19:03.5. Filling out the top four were Katelyn Stapleton in third (19:21.9) and Madison Bahan in fourth (19:24.9).
“They are both experienced beyond their years,” said Vogel. “They have a lot of fun and it was a big pick up for us. Our two seniors went third and fourth and showed their strength and experience.”
Also aiding in the win were Taylor Kennedy in 17th (21:07.2) and Claire Longshore in 18th (21:08.7), while Mandilyn Weaver came in 37th (23:11.3).
Triad’s girls saw freshman Shalyn Smiles move on as an individual after placing 12th with a time of 20:43.2.
Also racing for Cardinals were Tabitha Gaier in 61st (26:17.6) and Aliandra Yorgason in 62nd (26:32.2).
Riverside’s Ava Klingler ran in the girls B race and finished in 44th with a time of 24:31.6.
Triad boys take eighth in D3 race
Triad’s boys cross country team competed in the Division III district boys A race and finished eighth out of 10 teams on Saturday at Cedarville University.
Cedarville won with 27 points, Ft. Loramie was second with 46 points, Covington took third with 79 points and Russia was fourth with 85 points. Triad came in eighth with 234 points.
The top four teams and top 16 individuals moved on to the regional meet in Troy.
Racing for the Cardinals were Wyatt Robison in 38th (18:56.7), Joe Ferguson in 47th (19:35.8), Klinton Driscoll in 57th (20:38.3), Zane Robison in 58th (20:40.1) and Jacob Haser in 63rd (21:03.0).
Look for a Division III regional preview in Wednesday’s Examiner.
West Liberty-Salem’s girls cross country team poses with the Division III district championship Saturday at Cedarville University. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)