Katie Krueger of Marysville is pictured finishing down the stretch. Krueger helped MHS to a team title in Washington Court House on Saturday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marysville High School’s cross-country teams dominated most of the competition in Washington Court House on Saturday.
The Lady Monarchs claimed top team honors and the boys were second during the annual “Cross the Creek” invitational.
MHS’ girls tallied 51 points to win the 13-team meet.
Cedarville was the runner-up with 76.
Rounding out the top five were Circleville-111, Zane Trace-116 and West Union-167.
Cedarville ran away from the competition during the boys meet with 27 points.
The Monarchs were second with 59, followed by Miami Trace-139, Logan Elm-144 and Leesburg Fairfield-155 to finish the top five.
MHS’ Bryn Hothem was the runner-up during the girls race with a time of 20:23.
Ellyn Coe of Cedarville broke the tape with a clocking of 20:19.34.
Katie Krueger of Marysville was third in 20:38.
Other Lady Monarch runners were Emerson Bautsch, 14th, 22:25; Olivia Elliott, 21st, 23:18 and Maggie Zweizig, 22nd, 23:18.
Brian Boston was the top finisher for the MHS boys.
He was eighth in 17:46.
Preston Herring finished 10th in 17:52, followed by Jack Flanagan, 13th, 18:29; Riley Karnes, 14th, 18:32; and Blake Murgatroyd, 20th,18:47.
Bailey Gross of Bunsold won the middle school girls race in 12:30.14.
Bunsold placed sixth in the team standings with 160 points.
North Adams Middle School won the championship with 52.
Bunsold’s boys were third with 80 points in their race.
Unioto and Jackson were first and second respectively with 67 and 76.
The Marysville middle school boys’ top effort was Levi Weithman, who was ninth in 12:21.07.
“Overall, it was an outstanding day of racing on the Walters Family Farm outside Washington Court House,” said Marysville head coach Luke Sundermeier, “Athletes traversed a technical cross country course with short, steep hills, off-camper trails and two creek crossings.
“They enjoyed returning to the roots of the sport and were grateful for another opportunity to compete.”
Sundermeier said he likes the progress he’s seen from the high school teams.
“Things are starting to come together for both the boys and girls as we begin the final phase of preparations for the postseason,” he said. “There will be a lot of internal competition to make the varsity lineup, so motivation is high and momentum is building.”