Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ROME — The beat goes on for the Fairland Dragons, it just had to beat a little faster.

Although the competition in the Ohio Valley Conference cross country meet Tuesday was stronger than past years, the Fairland boys won a ninth straight title and the girls claimed their eighth straight league crown.

“Our runners ran well. They knew the competition in the conference was much better this year,” said Fairland coach Chuck Wentz.

The Dragons finished with 36 points. The South Point Pointers were second with 54 points followed by the River Valley Raiders with 66 points, the Rock Hill Redmen 76 and Coal Grove Hornets 124.

South Point’s Tyler Mathes ran a 17:18.24 to win the boys’ individual title as he edged Rock Hill’s Seth Miller who ran a 17:22.90.

Fairland’s Josh Sifford was third at 17:45.70 followed by Rock Hill’s Aaron Dalton (17:59.76), Fairland’s Adam Taylor (18:06.34), River Valley’s Jacob Kemper (18:14.32), Fairland’s Bryson Bias (18:14.99) and Bryce Day (18:23.24), South Point’s Micah Harris (18:30.53) and River Valley’s Kyle Randolph (18:41.33).

Mathes’ twin brother Tanner was 11th at 18:45.14.

The Fairland girls had 21 points followed by River Valley with 57 and Rock Hill had 60.

Fairland’s Shanan Ashton was the girls’ individual winner with a 20:22.43 time.

Lady Dragons’ teammate Jessica Price was second at 20:35.70 followed by Sarah McFann of Rock Hill at 22:36.39, River Valley’s Leanne Hivley at 23:18.98, and the Fairland trio of Abby Hankins (23:42.16), Emmie Fulks (23:43.75) and Kaylan Hager (23:55.42).

Coal Grove’s Sami Stormes (24:05.64) and Tori Holmes (24:09.15) were next and Fairland’s Jacie Rucker (24:27.33) rounded out the top 10.

“All the teams have some good runners and that makes all the teams in the conference better. Running in the OVC has greatly improved in the last few years and I hope we have continued growth in the years to come,” said Wentz.

“We will have some great seniors leaving us this year, but we have a very strong core returning for next year.”

One Fairland senior Chad McComas was suffering from three stress fractures but decided to run the race. He started the race running but was forced to walk most of the 2.1 miles. The Fairland team walked the final mile with him.

Wentz was proud of McComas’ attitude, determination and spirit.

“The Fairland cross country family pulled together to support this fine young student-athlete,” said Wentz.

In the middle school meet, River Valley’s boys had 31 points to win. Rock Hill had 48 and Fairland 62. River Valley’s girls had 29 points and Coal Grove 30.