Several local cross country teams braved the heat on Saturday at the Anna Rocket Invitational, with West Liberty-Salem competing at the Coldwater Invitational, turning in strong performances across varsity and middle school divisions.
Bellefontaine High School Girls
The Lady Chiefs battled the heat and a strong field to earn 7th place out of 23 schools.
Senior Kaeleigh Flora led the way with a 7th-place finish (20:34), while Cece Reier ran a personal best 22:27, finishing 33rd overall.
Team Results:
- 7. Kaeleigh Flora – 20:34
- 33. Cece Reier – 22:27 PR
- 55. Blakely Vollrath – 23:52
- 56. Sloan Stolly – 23:57
- 66. Cameo Greene – 24:19
- 82. Hannah Wilson – 25:08
- 99. Leila Hammond – 26:08
- 104. Sophia Marker – 26:27
Next Up: CBC Championships at Ben Logan.
Bellefontaine High School Boys
The Chieftain boys claimed the team title at the Anna Invitational, edging Bellbrook in a 20-plus team field.
Hayden Maus took the individual title (16:26), with Jake Moreland close behind in 3rd (16:51).
Top Bellefontaine Finishers (202 runners):
- Hayden Maus – 16:26
- Jake Moreland – 16:51
- Oliver Grandstaff – 17:12
- Will Myers – 17:56
- Andrew Myers – 18:12
- Brenden Murray – 18:25
- Tristyn Wilson – 25:12
- Brayten Swisher – 25:40
“It was very hot, but our runners stayed focused. Hayden and Jake delivered a great 1-2 punch, and the team stepped up to secure the victory.”
– Head Coach Ben Davis
Next Up: CBC Championships, Saturday at Ben Logan (9:00 AM).
Bellefontaine Middle School Girls
The BMS Lady Chiefs had their best race of the season, finishing 4th out of 21 teams.
Kylie Lowe led the way with a 7th-place medal and PR (12:56). Baya Deal also medaled in 13th (13:28).
Team Results (117 runners):
- 7. Kylie Lowe – 12:56 PR
- 13. Baya Deal – 13:28
- 51. Alivia Owens – 15:26
- 56. Mia Regula – 15:35 PR
- 78. Bentley Drake – 17:02
Next Up: CBC Championships at Ben Logan.
Bellefontaine Middle School Boys
The BMS Boys placed 5th out of 21 teams, running strong in hot conditions.
Jackson Maus medaled in 8th (11:42), just one second off his PR.
Team Results (148 runners):
- 8. Jackson Maus – 11:42
- 22. Sennett Stolly – 12:12
- 26. Camden Vollrath – 12:29 PR
- 47. Bennett Lang – 13:01
- 72. Lucas Lin – 14:10
- 93. Anthony Carter – 14:40
- 99. Owen Smith – 14:49
Next Up: CBC Championships at Ben Logan.
Indian Lake High School
The Lady Lakers finished 8th out of 14 teams at Anna.
Laura Metzger led the team in 26th (21:58), followed by Alicia Brielmaier in 41st (22:52).
Girls Results:
- 26. Laura Metzger – 21:58
- 41. Alicia Brielmaier – 22:52
- 45. Reagan Rash – 23:08
- 57. Evie Wagner – 23:57
- 87. Kayleigh Taylor – 25:26
- 139. Olivia Albert – 29:41
- 155. Lara Hagedorn – 32:29.3
- 156. Karlee Taylor – 32:29.4
The Laker boys finished 15th of 17 teams. Nathan White paced the group with a 75th-place finish (19:03).
Boys Results:
- 75. Nathan White – 19:03
- 100. Aidan Stinebaugh – 20:19
- 108. Will Faler – 20:52
- 122. Cason Lacher – 21:29
- 126. Titus Kelly – 21:49
Next Up: CBC Mad River Division Championships at Ben Logan.
Indian Lake Middle School
The ILMS girls finished 11th out of 15 teams, with Abby Bihn leading the way in 5th (12:47) to earn a medal.
Girls Results (117 finishers):
- 5. Abby Bihn – 12:47
- 46. Caroline Jones – 15:12
- 103. Faye Gruber – 19:27 PR
- 105. Abby Arnett – 19:37
- 108. Ella Wi – 20:31
- 115. Tenzlee Pyles – 23:54
The ILMS boys placed 10th out of 14 teams, with Hayden Kuhlke earning a 13th-place medal (11:57).
Boys Results (148 finishers):
- 13. Hayden Kuhlke – 11:57
- 31. Logan Kuhlke – 12:43
- 63. Dalton Young – 13:47 PR
- 76. Hayden Thompson – 14:19
- 108. Brantley Bowers – 15:17
- 148. Finn Ammons – 27:58
Next Up: CBC Championships at Ben Logan on October 11.
West Liberty-Salem High School (JV)
The WLS JV boys competed at the Coldwater Lions Club Invitational, finishing 14th out of 22 teams. Zeke Longshore led the Tigers with a 41st-place finish (17:41.16 SB).
Top WLS JV Results (277 runners)
- 41. Zeke Longshore – 17:41.16 SB
- 63. Owen Hardwick – 17:58.97
- 78. Gauge Lee – 18:16.92 PR
- 113. Zac Carter – 18:57.85
- 139. Zeke Sidders – 19:28.99
- 161. Brevin Louden – 19:48.47 SB
West Liberty-Salem Middle School
Both WLS Middle School teams dominated the Coldwater Invitational, taking first place out of 15 teams in both boys’ and girls’ races.
Boys Team – 1st of 15
Top Finishers:
- 4. Milo Matthews – 11:16
- 6. Caizen Anders – 11:27
- 8. Zeke Lauck – 11:35
- 10. Chafer Matthews – 11:36
- 18. Raylan Wulf – 12:11
Girls Team – 1st of 15
Top Finishers:
- 3. Nika Matthews – 12:24
- 5. Elayna Hoover – 12:27
- 19. Elin Leichty – 13:15
- 25. Iris Meister – 13:35
- 34. Lilly Woodruff – 14:00
Next Up: OHC Championships at Cedarville.
Calvary Christian School
The Calvary Christian High School boys placed 4th overall at the Anna Invitational. John Gaertner led the Spartans with an 8th-place finish (17:06.3), closely followed by Adly Knox in 9th (17:06.8).
Boys Results:
- 8. John Gaertner – 17:06.3
- 9. Adly Knox – 17:06.8
- 15. Kaden Simpson – 17:23
- 32. Ayden Knox – 18:08
- 85. Gideon Soma – 19:49
- 127. Elias Peterson – 22:57
Girls Results:
- 113. Abriley Krabill – 27:08
- 144. Alyssa Wiley – 30:11
Next Up: CBC Championships at Ben Logan.
Calvary Middle School
Girls Results (178 runners):
- 2. Nevaeh Davis – 12:41
- 20. Marissa Ramirez – 14:06
- 47. Maryellen Ledley – 15:14
- 76. Olivia Wolf – 16:47
- 82. Elizabeth Ledley – 17:20
- 93. Jocelyn Wiley – 18:22
- 97. Olivia Blue – 18:49
Boys Results:
- 138. Nate Garrison – 19:01
Fun Run – “Calvary’s Run with Perseverance”
- Nessa Davis – 1st place (1600m)
- Neriah Davis – 6th place (800m)
- Mady Markley – 10th place (800m)
