By ROB HAMILTON

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The Mount Gilead cross country teams got off to a good start this season at the Upper Sandusky Invitational on Tuesday. The boys finished second in a 16-team race, while the girls were third of 14 squads.

Leading the boys was Austin Hallabrin, who took second place in 16:57. Casey White was sixth in 17:11, while Nick Weiss took seventh in 17:21. Liam Dennis finished 23rd in 18:25 and Kyle White was 31st in 18:42. Trevor Ball ran 38th in 19:07, while Gavin Robinson placed 41st in 19:13.

Also, Tyler Clark was 45th, Brandon Stevens finished 49th, Gavvin Keen was 50th, Colton Clark took 53rd, Riley Conners ran 65th, Sy Shipman placed 71st, Isaac George took 102nd, Connor Page got 103rd, Josh Brown was 108th, Nathan Johnson placed 113th and Josh Conaway finished 178th.

For the girls, Baylee Hack finished second overall in 20:17. Darcy Picker ran 15th in 21:19, Hannah Bush was 17th in 21:28 and Micah James took 28th in 22:18. Maddie Fitzpatrick ran 46th in 23:49, while Jadyn Shipman was 55th in 24:20 and Bridgette Millisor took 58th in 24:33.

Also, Makayla Weaver was 85th, Savannah Randall took 107th, Zoie Barron ran 131st, Dakota Shipman placed 143rd, Deani Smith was 146th, Monica Lawrence placed 148th, Samantha Sullivan took 158th and Kelly Baer finished 160th.

Cardington also competed in the meet, with their girls finishing 10th and their boys taking 14th.

Pacing the girls’ team was Alicia McElwee, who was 50th in 23:57.93. Sage Brannon was 52nd in 24:00.4 and Taylor Linkous took 53rd in 24:07.8. Emily Benson placed 62nd in 24:50.4, while Jessica Shook placed 72nd in 25:23.1, Bailey Shafer ran 84th in 26:03.81 and Casey Bertke was 98th in 26:51.3.

Also, Lesley Reed finished 154th and Ashlee Drury was 159th.

For the boys, Greg Osborne finished 63rd in 19:55.3. Quinn Maceyko was 77th in 20:26.6 and Sonny Grooms took 109th in 21:42.1. Also, Spencer Benson finished 117th in 21:53.4 and Racine Hallabrin was 182nd in 25:44.9.

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