By ROB HAMILTON

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The Mount Gilead Middle School girls’ cross country team won their eighth straight invitational by taking first at the Mount Gilead Middle School Invitational on Saturday.

The Indians edged Buckeye Valley 26-29 to win the five-team meet. Baylee Hack ran first overall in 12:07, while Ally Johnson was second, Emily Hanft took fifth, Auna Tack placed 10th, Maddie Fitzpatrick took 11th, Olivia Millisor ran 14th, Selia Shipman came in 15th, Bridgette Millisor finished 20th, Makayla Weaver was 21st, McKenzie Andrews finished 38th, Monica Lawrence took 61st, Skye Bivens ran 68th and Dakota Shipman was 71st.

The boys’ team finished fourth of seven teams. They tied Buckeye Valley for third with 91 points, but the Barons won the tiebreaker based on their sixth runner. For the Indians, Gavvin Keen was ninth in 12:14, while Kooper Keen was 14th, Brett Shipman ran 15th, Josh Sullivan took 24th, Turner Fitzpatrick ran 33rd, Eric Mowery was 39th and Zac Lester finished 65th.

For Cardington, their junior high girls took fourth place and the boys ran fifth.

The girls were led by Emily Benson, who took 16th place in 13:38.74. Taylor Linkous was 18th, Bella Scurlock ran 22nd, Isabelle Crum finished 29th, Elizabeth Long was 34th, Marlo Young ran 42nd, Casey Bertke finished 43rd, Tess Ruehrmund placed 72nd and Mikaela Osborne took 73rd.

The boys were paced by Mason White’s third-place finish in 11:19.62. Also, Sonny Grooms was sixth, Miles Grooms finished 23rd, Alex Queener got 35th place, Sam McKee ran 40th, Tyler Kintz took 72nd, Sam West placed 75th and Aaron Stepp took 76th.

For Gilead Christian, in the boys’ race, A.J. Millinger was 20th in 12:43.82.

Rob Hamilton can be reached at 419-946-3010, ext. 1807. Connect with him on Twitter at @SportsMCS