Multiple area teams and runners are headed to the regional cross country meet after posting strong results in the district competition on Oct. 24 at the University of Rio Grande.
Both the Manchester boys and girls teams qualified for the regional competition as the girls won the Division III district championship for the second-consecutive year while the boys finished third, securing them for a spot in the regionals.
The Manchester girls were led by senior Amanda Farthing who finished seventh with a time of 22:19 and was followed by freshman Billie Kinhalt (ninth), junior Kelsey Friend (11th), junior Xena Crummie (14th), junior Lydia Lopez (30th), freshman Alexus Barlow (47th) and freshman McKenzie Smith (51st).
The boys team will include sophomore Jamie Combs who finished 12th with a time of 17:55, sophomore Logan Hanson (19th), senior Rickey DeAtley (20th), sophomore Ethan Pennywitt (21st), junior Brandon Kessler (34th) and sophomore Austin Stamper (38th).
The West Union girls team will also be joining the Lady Hounds in the regional competition after the Lady Dragons came in third place during the district competition behind Nelsonville-York and Manchester. Senior Ashley Hackworth was the top individual finisher as she came across the line wtih a time of 20:44, 1:17 before second place and claimed the district title.
Joining Hackworth will be senior Madigan Marshall who finished 12th, junior Rebekah McCarty (29th), junior Cassidy Blythe (32nd), junior Shannon Runyan (42nd), sophomore Morgan Edminston (43rd) and sophomore Kylee Camp (63rd).
Four Peebles Indians also scored individual trips to the regional competition as the Seas siblings all ran strong races. Freshman Jenny Seas finished first in her district’s race finishing with a time of 18:55, nearly 56 seconds ahead of second place while senior Dan Seas and sophomore Matt Seas finished second and fifth respectively to book their trips as well. Sophomore Abby Faulkner qualified for regionals by finishing ninth.
Other area teams who participated in the district competition but did not qualify for the regional competition include the West Union and North Adams boys who finished ninth and 11th respectively in their district race while the Peebles boys finished fifth in their district, just missing a trip to regionals.
Other area runners from the boys races did not qualify for the regional competition included West Union sophomore Adam Fulton, West Union sophomore Gabe Grooms, North Adams junior George Hesler, North Adams senior Jesse Hall, West Union junior Janson Kramer, West Union freshman Marcus Jacobs, North Adams junior Kain Turner, North Adams senior Brandon Richendollar, North Adams junior Eric McCaw, West Union sneior Nick Cooper, Peebles sophomore Sammy Smith, Peebles senior Jack Behr, Peebles freshman Levi Skinner, Peebles sophomore Seth Chamblin and Peebles sophomore Corey Baldridge.
The girls runners who did not qualify for regionals were all from North Adams and included senior Alexis Hesler, sophomore Veronica Day and junior Kaitlyn Porter.
The regional meet will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Pickerington North High School with the girls racing at 11 a.m. and the boys at 1:30 p.m.
Reach Charles Grove at 937-544-2391 or cgrove@civitasmedia.com.
