VW, Lancer boys, Grandstaff head to state

Van Wert independent sports

TIFFIN — The Van Wert and Lincolnview boys’ cross country teams qualified for the state meet, while Crestview runner Mycah Grandstaff’s third-place finish at regionals earned him a spot at state as an individual.

The Cougars were led by Connor Holliday, who finished seventh in a time of 16:25.52, while Daniel Perry was 15th in 17:00.16.

Grandstaff had the fastest time of any local runner, running the Division III race in 16:15.06. Lincolnview’s Bayley Tow was right behind the Crestview runner, finishing fourth in 16:17, while fellow Lancer Alex Rodriguez was ninth in a time of 16:34.

“It was an incredible team effort today,” said Lincolnview Coach Matt Langdon. “Bayley, Alex, and Trevor (20th in 17:14) put us in a great position by all three being in the top 20 of the race.

“Bayley continued his tremendous season by running right with the leaders, Alex had the best race of his life and, for the second straight week, Trevor ran an outstanding race,” Coach Langdon added. “I was very proud of the boys; they have worked really hard and this puts us in a position to finish the season off the right way. It is going to be another fun week.”

Both Van Wert and Lincolnview boys finished third in their respective races. Crestview boys were 12th in the Division III race.

Neither Van Wert’s girls, nor individual runners from Lincolnview or Crestview. The Lady Cougars came closest, finishing 12th in the Division III race.