Cougar runners do well at Hilliard meet

Van Wert independent sports

HILLIARD — Cold, wet, muddy conditions couldn’t keep the Van Wert Boys Cross Country team from turning in one of their best performances this year as the toed the line with some of the best in the state on Saturday at the Midwest Meet of Champions hosted by Hilliard Bradley High School.

While times weren’t impressive on the day, the boys Race of Champions, which featured nine of the best Division I teams in the state, along with the Nos. 1- and 2 ranked teams in Division II, current No. 7-ranked Van Wert showed that it is one of the best in its division.

With a 13th place team finish, the boys were led by junior Jared Fleming, as Van Wert was able to knock off Division II No. 2 ranked Chillicothe Unioto. Fleming ran an impressive 16:43 to finish 13th on the rain soaked, muddy, fields of Bradley High School.

“Jared ran a very smart race today.  He established himself up in the lead pack and proved why he is one of the best distance runners in the state.” said Coach Brendon Moody.  “I couldn’t have been happier with the way Jared and the rest of the varsity raced today.  They proved they are one of the better teams in our division.”

Following Fleming was freshman Connor Holliday, junior Kase Schalois, senior Nate Stevens, and freshman Nick Keber.  Sophomore Eric Easley and Senior Luke Brubaker rounded out the varsity line up.

The boys’ record stands at 109 wins and only 15 losses.

On the girls’ side, Van Wert finished fifth in the varsity girls’ race. The Lady Cougars were once again led by Andi Foster, who finished third on the day.

“Andi is running with a great deal of confidence right now and you can tell that she is ready to race every time out.” said Coach Moody. “I need to find a way to get that focus and confidence to spill over across the rest of the team in order for us to be where we need to be going into the tournament season here in two weeks.”

Along with Foster in the varsity race, junior Jacey Eikenbary once again ran as the girls’ No. 2 runner, followed by fellow junior Kelsey Wagner, freshman Schelissa Williams, senior Sydney Riethman, junior Rachael Scheidt, and senior Erin Dingle.

Both squads will be back in action again this Thursday evening at the Coldwater Lions Cross Country Invitational.