GALION (Crawford County Now) — Crestline’s girls continue to make history.

The Lady ‘dogs won their first district team championship at the Division IV cross country meet at Amann’s Park course Saturday morning. Placing four runners in the top 10 allowed Crestline to defeat Edison 36-49, despite Chargers runners placing 1-2.

“It’s been led by our senior girls. It’s their third year running, but for me and coach (Chandler) Wilhelm it’s our fifth year coaching these girls. When they were eighth graders and freshmen we hoped and envisioned down the road … to see it come to fruition is a special moment,” said coach Trevor Phillips.

Nevaeh Hill came in third in 20:18.7, followed by teammates Addison Hill in fourth in 20:19.8, Jocelyn Noblit sixth in 20:54.6 and Addysen Giesege eighth in 21:30.3.

Most are multi-sport athletes with several runners also competing in volleyball during the fall.

“Thankfully, we’ve found a way to make it work. I’m so proud of them for their work. Doing two practices a day is a lot on the body,” he said.

“We were really looking forward to this meet and to bring home the trophy. Obviously, next week at Tiffin we’re really excited to qualify for state as a team,” Phillips said. “We took Nevaeh to state as an individual last year, but to be able to take them as a group (to regionals) is what we wanted to do.”

Crestline boys also qualified for the regional meet at Tiffin next Saturday. Senior Colton Keller took sixth in 17:23.9.

It’s been a building process for the program, Phillips said.

“I remember two years ago at the county meet we came up a couple of points short and you could see the writing on the wall, like we can do this. The first meet we won this year was the county meet; and came up one point shy without a full squad the week before.”

Hill served as an anchor for the girls squad.

“We’ve won a lot and have put in the work and effort,” she said. “I go to work, then we have practice at 3, so it’s a little challenging. The volleyball girls might have to leave a little earlier because of a game, but they either run before or after the game … long days.”

Hill’s goal is to be all-Ohio and to continue setting new records.

Noblit said working together as a team has been a key to their success.

“Almost all of us PR’d. We put in a lot of work over the summer and especially in these last couple of weeks and we brought it all today.”

Juggling both sports is not an easy task.

“It’s a lot on your plate to go straight from volleyball practice to cross country practice, or we even have workouts then go to a game. It’s mentally challenging. Our volleyball season ended Monday night so that helps a little bit to have just this to focus on,” Noblit said.

Colonel Crawford’s Avary Stirm was fifth in 20:35.5. Sophomore Sophia Keller (21:55.9) was 11th. Sophomore Emily Schwenning (22:52.4) and junior Sydney Link (22:56.5) finished back-to-back in 26th and 27th, while juniors Alyssa Crank (41st) and Eva Kozinski (56th) plus freshman Violet Rossman (70th) rounded out the team.

Isaac Stirm second in ‘photo finish’

Colonel Crawford junior Isaac Stirm and Carter Hicks of New London both hit the finish line in 16:22.5.

The runners ran side by side most of the meet, but Hicks got the nod by a nose.

“He pushed me a lot. He really pulled me through the race. I feel this is a pretty tough course with the hills and stuff,” Stirm said. “It was exciting and the team is hyped.”

The Eagles (95 points) placed third behind Crestview (58) and New London (94). Crestline was sixth, Buckeye Central seventh and Bucyrus ninth.

“It’s great to have both the girls and guys programs push each other. Both have great leadership and being vocal and that positive energy can flow through,” Eagles coach Jordan Kiess said.

Seniors Landon Strausbaugh (12th) and Gordie Ekin (30th), juniors Christian Mott (21st), Wyatt Burge (51st), Grayden Bohach (57th), and sophomore Bryce Parsons (36th) made up Colonel Crawford finishers.

Running against Crestline also has helped push her team, Kiess said.

“Crestline has been phenomenal and it’s great to have that competition. You can rise to the level you’re pushed with.”

“A photo finish for Isaac. He has put in the blood, sweat and tears. He’s very analytical so he’ll have ideas in practice like I need to add this in. He motivates the other kids, and we’re blessed to have this group of kids.”

Top performers for Crawford County schools included:

  • Wynford’s Kaitlyn Messmer was 12th in 21:58.7. Evan Stacklin was 14th in 17:55.5.
  • Buckeye Central’s Samantha Auck was 15th in 22:20.5. Jeremiah Roberson finished 10th in 17:42.7.
  • Bucyrus freshman Leah Jones got 34th in 23:10.7. Michah Spears was 17th in 18:16.0.

Redmen head coach Dave Jones took over for Kevin Boggs this season.

“We’ve got a good group of girls. They’ve all been with us since middle school. My daughter is a freshman and she ran well. We have two seniors (Madalyn Weiler and Aleah Holcomb) who have had their best days at the end of the year,” he said.

In Division III:

  • Galion’s senior Makayla Halbisen placed ninth in 20:53.6 and sophomore Katelyn Carr 10th in 21:23.0.

The Lady Tigers (57) were district runners-up to Huron (18).

  • Nicky Weiss finished 48th in 20:41.7.

Upper Sandusky (78) placed third. Jocelyn Leighty came in fourth in 19:46.6.

Full results at https://live.athletic.net/meets/79832

Seneca East boys first, girls second

FINDLAY — Seneca East had Owen Wise fifth in 16:51.1, Francisco Lantz sixth in 16:53.6 and Remington Newell seventh in 16:56.3 in the Division IV district cross country meet at Owens Community College.

All were PRs and helped the Tigers win the team title. They had 52 points to New Riegel’s 78.

This marks the 12th district championship in program history.

Mohawk’s Kolton Wood won the boys event in 16:08.3

Seneca East’s girls placed second, led by Aubrey Ritzler who took second in 18:37.3.

This was their third runner-up finish in the last four years.

Mohawk’s Laila Nally was fifth in 19:12.9.

Full results at https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/286408/results/1140865?tab=team-scores