VW, Lancer runners do well at local meet

DELPHOS — The Lincolnview Lancers and Van Wert Cougars opened their cross country season on Saturday in fine fashion at the Blue Jay Invitational in Delphos, with both the Cougar and Lancer boys finishing in the top three, while the Cougar girls were third and the Lancer girls fifth.

The Van Wert boys used a tight finish by their first five runners to take the runner-up spot behind champion Anna. Callahan Wolfrum was the Cougars’ top runner, finishing third in 17:19. Freshman Holden Reichert was also a top 10 finisher, followed by Cade Chiles, Stephen Hamblet, and Gage Chiles, who all finished in the top 20.

Other Van Wert runners included Blake Henry, Dylan Lautzenheiser, and Max Sealscott.

The Cougar girls were led by Julia Springer, who finished 10th in the race in 21:32. Jerica Huebner was 13, followed by Nicole Clay, Caton Williamson, and Sierra Shaffer.

The Lancer boys’ team placed third in the 18-team field, scoring 77 points and placing behind Van Wert (64) and Anna (59). The girls’ team placed fifth overall in the race.

The boys were led by two top 10 finishes in Karter Tow, who was fifth overall, and Austin Elick who was eighth.  Rounding out the top seven for the boys was Alek Bowersock (16th), Tracey West (22nd), Jacob Keysor (28th), Devon Bill (39th), and Joe Sadowski (39th).

“The boys had a solid start; we were able to race with Anna and Van Wert for most of the race, but just didn’t finish the last mile strong enough to get ahead of them,” said Lincolnview Head Coach Matt Langdon. “Our pack is our strength, and when that breaks apart like it did Saturday, we head the wrong direction. So we know what we need to focus on moving forward.”

The girls were led by a 15th place finish by Rylee Byrne.  She was followed by teammates Tori Snyder (26th), Alena Looser (28th), Abbie Enyart (40th), Madison Dickson (73rd), Ryanne Ducheney (81st), and Miah Katalenas (83rd).

“The girls team has lost two of our top five runners due to injury, so we are going to have to fight for every point this season and some girls who have not been in our top five in the past are now being asked to score points for us,” Coach Langdon said. “It is a challenge that the girls are going to have to embrace. There were definitely some positives today, as several of the girls rose to that challenge. Our goal now is to close that gap and begin the process of improving.”