Both Mount Gilead cross country teams advanced to the state meet, as did Northmor’s girls, thanks to fast running at the regional course at Pickerington North last Saturday.
Competing in the Division III boys’ race, Mount Gilead took second place of 17 teams to earn a spot at Hebron’s National Trail Raceway this coming Saturday. Later in the day, Northmor took second in the Division III girls’ race, while Mount Gilead snagged the fifth and final state qualifying spot.
The only team to finish in front of the Indians boys was Leesburg Fairfield, who won the race with 71 points. MG finished with 99. The Indians were able to boast the individual regional champion in Austin Hallabrin, though. He won the race in 16:19.3 to gain momentum heading into his third trip to the state meet. The senior runner earned All-Ohio honors in each of his previous two trips to Hebron.
Casey White ran ninth in 16:57.99, while Liam Dennis took 22nd in 17:26.5 and Nick Weiss ran 25th in 17:31.43. Kyle White placed 67th in 18:22.94 and Trevor Ball finished 89th in 18:50.48. Also, Brandon Stevens took 96th in 19:04.79.
MG also advanced to the girls’ state meet, taking fifth place with 161 points in the 17-team race. Baylee Hack paced the Indians, running ninth in 20:23.78. Darcy Picker finished 24th in 21:21.73, while Hannah Bush finished 26th in 21:28.93.
Bridgette Millisor ran 67th in 22:49.77 and Micah James placed 84th in 23:18.91. Also, Madison Fitzpatrick was 91st in 23:31.84 and Makayla Weaver took 111th in 25:01.09.
Northmor also moved on to the state meet in Division III, as they placed second in the meet with 111 points — only behind Tuscarawas Valley, who won with 86.
Jessica Duryea took 17th place in 20:43.66, while Kristen Duryea ran 20th in 20:56.16. Maddie Jordan placed 33rd in 21:43.12 and Samantha Peters was 38th in 21:59.86. Also, Julianna Ditullio took 47th in 22:23.53, Maria Lee ran 53rd in 22:28.44 and Brooke Bennett finished 104th in 24:24.18.
Also running in the regional meet was the Northmor boys’ squad, which took 11th place in the Division III boys’ race.
A.J. White led the way for the Knights, placing 46th in 17:55.6. James Walker took 65th place in 18:20.62, while Mostyn Evans finished 78th in 18:34.41 and Ryan Bentley claimed 81st in 18:36.75. Also, B.J. White placed 90th in 18:53.41, Kaleb Hart took 94th in 19:00.36 and Manny Heilman ran 118th in 19:58.73.
