By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

HEBRON — It was a season to remember for the Fairland Dragons.

After winning the Ohio Valley Conference meet, posting a perfect score to win the Division II district meet, and claiming first place in the regional meet, the Dragons capped off their cross country season with a fifth place finish at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state meet on Saturday.

The Dragons finished with 144 points under coach Chuck Wentz, just 11 behind Peninsula Woodridge. Springfield Shawnee won the team championship with 101 points followed by Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s with 114 and Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy with 125.

The Dragons were led by senior Tanner Mattie who ran a 16:15.82 to place No. 11 overall and scored just six points in the team totals. Mattie qualified as an individual last year and was 13th overall.

Junior Raine Wireman was No. 13 overall at 16:20.50 and gave the Dragons seven points toward the team score.

Senior Ryan Stewart was No. 43 and scored 24 points as he finished the 5K course in 16:59.61. Junior Logan Rowe ran a 17:27.43 to scored 52 points and sophomore Chad McComas was No. 85 as he ran the 3.1-mile layout in 17:29.89 to score 55 points.

Completing the 7-man team for the Dragons were freshman Josh Sifford who ran an 18:05.78 and senor Dylan Hannon who had an 18:47.73 clocking.

The top five times are counted in the team score. Individual runners not competing on a team do not get points but are counted toward All-Ohio depending on their place of finish.

More than 850 runners competed in the three divisions for boys and girls. This marked the first year for the state finals to be held at the National Trail Raceway after making its home at Scioto Downs the past 26 years.