TROY — Fort Loramie’s boys cross country team finished first in the Division III regional race for the second consecutive year on Saturday and earned a trip to the state race next Saturday in Hebron.
Fort Loramie’s Joe Ballas and Jake Rethman finished first and second, respectively, in the Div. III race. Ballas was first with 16:19, while Rethman was second with 16:23.
Houston’s boys finished third in the D-III race to advance to state for the first time in school history. Fort Loramie, Versailles and Russia’s girls teams finished second, third and fourth, respectively, in the D-III race to earn state berths.
Houston’s boys were led by Tristin Freistuhler, who had a time of 17:04 and finished 12th overall.
Fort Loramie’s girls were led by Danielle Berning, who was No. 3 overall with a time of 19:47. Versailles was led by Kenia McEldowney, who was tenth overall with a time of 20:31. Russia’s fastest runner was Megan Frazier, who was No. 6 with a time of 20:11.
Fort Loramie had 58 points, while Houston had 123. The top four runners and 16 individuals in each race qualify for state.
Aside from Ballas and Rethman, the rest of Loramie’s runners included Noah Siegel, 16, 17:09; Collin Luthman, 30, 17:49; Jordan Drees, 35, 17:58; Gavin Schulze, 43, 18:07; and Mitchell Berning, 57, 18:22.
The rest of Houston’s runners aside from Freistuhler included Ethan Knouff, 14, 17:08; Blake Jacobs, 44, 18:08; Dakota Francis, 49, 18:12; Jacob Slater, 51, 18:15; Parker Cox, 65, 18:41; and Patrick Meiring, 74, 18:56.
Versailles’ Joe Spitzer continued an incredible season by winning the Division II regional cross country meet with a time 16:02.
Botkins finished ninth overall in the boys race. The Trojans’ Austin Fullenkamp (No. 10, 17:00) earned a state berth.
Fort Loramie’s girls were second behind West Liberty-Salem with 59 points, while Versailles had 100 and Russia had 114.
Aside from Berning, the rest of the Redskins’ racers were Paige Rethman, 8, 20:20; Danielle Eilerman, 13, 20:40; Caitlyn Gasson, 17, 20:43; Corynn Heitkamp, 28, 21:14; Angel Rodriguez, 38, 21:44; and Clara Gephart, 44, 21:55.
The rest of Versailles’ racers besides McEldowney were Megan Rismiller, 18, 20:44; Maria Mangen, 21, 21:02; Dana Rose, 34, 21:33; Kennedy McEldowney, 39, 21:46; Hannah Bey, 51, 22:12; and Liz Watren, 60, 22:30.
Aside from Frazier, Russia’s runners included Becca Seger, 9, 20:11; Claire Meyer, 26, 21:13; Anna Fiessinger, 46, 21:59; Clare Caldwell, 56, 22:24; Becky Pinchot, 82, 23:56; and Emma Delaet, 84, 24:24.
Houston’s Hollie Voisard qualified for state individually. Voisard was No. 12 on Saturday with 20:39. Botkins’ Emma Koenig also earned a state berth. She was No. 14 with 20:40.
Botkins finished eighth in the girls race.
