ANNA — Area cross country teams wound down the regular season by taking part in the Anna Rocket Invitational on Saturday.
The Bellefontaine boys took first place with 70 points. Calvary Christian was fourth (133), and Indian Lake was 15th. There were 17 full teams.
Runners from Riverside were also in action.
Senior Hayden Maus of Bellefontaine broke the tape first with a time of 16:26, and Jake Moreland was third (16:51). They were followed by Oliver Grandstaff (10th, 17:12), Will Myers (23rd, 17:56); and Andrew Myers (33rd, 18:12).
Others in action were Brenden Murray (18:25); Tristyn Wilson (25:12); and Brayten Swisher (25:40).
Coach Ben Davis of Bellefontaine said, “It was very hot. We had several runners manage to strike close to personal records despite this. We were focused on beating Bellbrook, a regional squad we will face. Hayden and Jake delivered a great 1-2 punch. The team stepped up and secured the victory to cover for one of our varsity members who was out of commission.”
The Spartans were led by John Gaertner, who finished eighth and was scored seventh (17:06.3) and Adly Knox right behind (17:06.8). Rounding out the scoring were Kaden Simpson (14th, 17:23); Ayden Knox (30th, 18:08); and Gideon Soma (74th, 19:49). Ellias Peterson (22:57) also took part.
Indian Lake’s Nathan White was scored 53rd (19:03), followed by Aidan Stinebaugh (84th, 20:19); Will Faler (88th, 20:52); Cason Lacher (92nd, 21:29); and Titus Kelly (93rd, 21:49).
Aiden Fout (116th, 21:17) and Brenden Lattimer (199th, 32:13) competed for the Pirates.
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GIRLS
In the girls race, Bellefontaine was seventh and Indian Lake eighth out of 14 teams.
For the Lady Chiefs, Kaeleigh Flora took seventh place (20:34), Cece Reier was scored 28th (22:27), followed by Blakely Vollrath (44th, 23:52); Sloan Stolly (45th, 23:57); and Cameo Greene (52nd, 24:19).
Others running were Hannah Wilson (25:08); Leila Hammond (26:08); and Sophia Marker (26:29).
The Lakers’ top runner was Laura Metzger (22nd, 21:58), followed by Alicia Brielmaier (32nd, 22:52); Reagan Rash (35th, 23:08); Evie Wagner (46th, 23:57); and Kayleigh Taylor (67th, 25:26).
Others on the course were Olivia Albert (29:41); Karlee Taylor (32:29) and Lara Hagedorn (32:29).
Running as individuals were Abriley Krabill (113th, 27:08) and Alyssa Wylie (144th, 30:11) of Calvary Christian, along with Kristen Thompson (163rd, 34:10) and Maggie Beaty (165th, 38:35) for Riverside.
