Cougar boy runners win O-G Invitational

Van Wert cross country news

OTTAWA — The Van Wert boys continued their winning ways with a victory over regional powers Pemberville Eastwood and Bryan during the Ottawa-Glandorf Invitational cross country meet on Saturday. The boys left Ottawa Memorial Park, site of this year’s OHSAA District, adding 22 more wins to their record, moving them to 95 wins and only five losses, on the season.

Leading the way for the Cougars was junior Connor Shaffer, who finished in seventh place, clocking a 16:49. The Cougar pack was quite impressive, as there was only 30 seconds between Van Wert’s first and fifth runners.  Sophomore Cade Fleming (17:06), junior Connor Holliday (17:07), junior Daniel Perry (17:12), and junior Jordan Butler (17:19), rounded out the scoring by finishing 12th, 13th, 15th, and 17th, respectively. Junior’s Nick Keber and Ryan Rice completed the varsity squad by finishing 23rd and 27th (17:31 and 17:39).

“The boys ran very well today; it’s always important to run well at Ottawa, as it gives you a great preview to the district course,” said Van Wert Coach Brendon Moody. “It builds confidence for these kids so they know they can run fast here again in five weeks.

“With that said, five weeks is a long time away and we have to keep healthy, injury free, and focused on each week,” Coach Moody added.

A short-handed Cougar girls’ squad had a solid showing, while missing three of their usual top five girls due to injury and illness. Leading the charge for the girls’ team was first year runner, senior Amanda Clay, who finished sixth in a time of 20:10. Clay was followed by sophomore Megan Barnhart, 20th (21:03); junior Whitney Meyers, 22nd (21:08); freshman Natalie Riethman, 23rd (21:10); and sophomore Alicia Danylchuck, 43rd (21:55).  Leah Brubaker (57th in 22:51) and Marissa Sperry (58th in 22:57) finished out the top seven for the girls.

“We had a lot of girls run season best times today,” Coach Moody. “They definitely stepped up in the absence of some of our top girls.

“I’m very proud of how they responded in the face of adversity,” the Cougar coach added.

Van Wert cross country teams are back in action next weekend as they host the 35th annual Van Wert County Hospital Invitational.