Both Mount Gilead cross country teams won their district meets on Saturday to highlight a strong performance by Morrow County runners at Watkins Memorial. Also advancing to this Saturday’s regionals at Pickerington North are both Northmor teams, as well as individuals from the Highland girls and Cardington boys.

Competing in the first of two Division III boys’ races, MG’s boys won an eight-team race, as they placed four runners in the top six. Liam Dennis won in 16:26.73, while Casey White took third in 16:34.6, Kyle White was fourth in 16:49.62 and Brett Shipman claimed sixth in 16:56.52. Also, Ethan Supplee claimed 11th in 17:12.95, while Brandon Stevens placed 17th in 17:47.6 and Trevor Ball took 22nd in 18:06.64.

Mount Gilead’s girls duplicated that feat by winning the nine-squad second Division III girls’ race. Baylee Hack took first overall with a time of 18:38.47, while Allison Johnson placed second in 19:02.83, Emily Hanft took fifth in 19:41.04 and Olivia Millisor claimed eighth in 20:05.14. Micah James finished 13th in 20:48.86, Madison Fitzpatrick ran 19th in 22:03.67 and Selia Shipman took 23rd in 22:14.

Competing in those same two races, Northmor also earned trips to regionals. The girls’ team took second place, while the boys were third.

Leading the Lady Knights was Jessica Duryea, who was 11th in 20:26.44. Samantha Peters ran 12th in 20:34.18, Julia Kanagy finished 16th in 21:22.81, Maddie Jordan placed 17th in 21:58.11 and Olivia Goodson was 18th in 22:01.77. Also, Brooke Bennett ran 20th in 22:08.18 and Julianna Ditullio took 25th in 22:38.28.

For the boys, Gavvin Keen ran seventh in 16:57.57, while Austin Amens finished 13th in 17:24.48 and Ryan Bentley claimed 21st in 18:05.1. B.J. White got 24th in 18:13.08, Chase Hoover was 25th in 18:16.27, Kaleb Hart took 28th in 18:37.77 and Mostyn Evans ran 30th in 18:43.69.

While Cardington’s fourth-place finish in the first Division III boys’ race put them one spot shy of regional qualification, they did send one athlete through, as Mason White took eighth place in 17:06.09. Racine Hallabrin was 23rd in 18:09.12, Kaleb Meade took 37th in 19:12.5 and Spencer Benson finished 38th in 19:22.07. Also, Quinn Maceyko ran 45th in 20:04.87, Devin Gheen claimed 53rd in 21:12.74 and Andrew Schoppelrei was 57th in 23:46.29.

In the Division II girls’ race, Highland finished 10th, but sent two runners on to regionals. Sophia Thompson placed third in 19:14.36 and Alex DeBord ran 20th in 20:29.78 to claim the last individual-qualifying place. Also, Mia White was 65th in 23:04.69, Elizabeth Jensen placed 69th in 23:23.12, Samantha Trusler took 81st in 24:42.3, Heather Ross got 86th in 25:04.2 and Morgan Wilhelm was 88th in 25:13.5.

Highland’s Dalton Lee barely missed advancing in his Division II race. The top 12 runners moved on, but he was 13th in 17:16.05 for his fifth-place team. Branton Howard took 24th in 18:05.61, while Zach Wetzel finished 28th in 18:31.19 and Tucker Tague got 34th in 18:42.85. Also, Bruce Jordan was 42nd in 19:13.44 and Alex McCafferty ran 50th in 19:43.62.

In their Division III girls’ race, Cardington was 11th. Alicia McElwee finished 36th in 22:51.53 and Sage Brannon was 53rd in 23:44.49. Also, Taylor Linkous finished 69th in 26:23.52, Marlo Young got 70th in 26:45, Maddie Brehm was 71st in 27:04 and Ashlee Drury ran 74th in 33:04.

Pirate, Scot individuals also advance

By Rob Hamilton

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