Cougar runners win 3 WT Invite races

VWHS cross country information

GROVER HILL — Grover Hill was the site for Tuesday night’s Wayne Trace Invitational, which provided the opportunity for area schools to compete. Van Wert claimed top honors in the varsity boys’, varsity girls’ and junior varsity boys’ team competitions.

Jared Fleming took top honors in the 13-team boys’ varsity race. Kase Schalois (fourth), Connor Holliday (eighth), Conner Shaffer (11th), Jordan Butler (12th), Spencer Prichard (15th), and Nick Keber (19th) had a hand in leading the Cougar boys to victory.

Andi Foster (second), Chloee Gamble (third), Schelissa Williams (sixth), Jacey Eikenbary (seventh), Meghan Barnhart (13th), Kelsey Wagner (18th), and Alicia Danylchuck (22nd) all contributed in defending their team title from last year.

In boys’ JV action, Cade Fleming and Daniel Perry decided the outcome over the final 200 meters, with Fleming proving victorious for the win. Reed Baxter, Eric Easley, and Ryan Rice followed closely behind, running third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, to complete the perfect score of 15 points for the title. Nick White (30th), and Austin Taylor (33rd) also competed in the junior varsity competition.

Van Wert did not have a complete squad in the girls’ JV race, as they only had four finishers. That didn’t stop them from taking two of the top three spots, as Whitney Meyers took top honors and Marissa Sperry finished in third.  Karlyn Koontz ran herself to an eighth place finish, along with Courtney Bird in 17th.

“I felt that in all four races, the kids executed the race plan very well,” said Van Wert Coach Brendon Moody. “Our goal after Friday night’s race was to work on running strong during that second mile and we did just that.”