GALION — Lady Lex flexed its muscle Saturday afternoon.
Joana Halfhill won the individual district title and top-ranked Lexington rumbled to the team crown at blustery Amann Reservoir Park.
Halfhill established a new personal record, finishing in 18:40.1. Carina Weaver PRed as well, finishing in 18:48.2.
“I was just really feeling it today,” Weaver said. “We all got off to a strong start and there was a really good pack of us.”
Halle Hamilton placed fourth in 19:14.4, while Lily Weeks was sixth in 19:47.2. Lexington’s regular No. 5 runner, Natalie Dininger, had a family commitment but freshman Kaydence Hines filled in admirably, placing 11th in 20:17.8.
“We have an amazing pack. Our No. 5 was at her sister’s wedding, but I wasn’t nervous about that,” Lexington coach Denise Benson said. “That’s what team is all about. She wasn’t here, but everybody stepped it up a little bit more.”
Ontario was runner-up in the team standings with a team score of 70. Grace Maurer led the Warriors, finishing eighth in 20:11.4, while Anna Gregg was ninth in 20:13.2. Ariah Reuer (20:20.3) was 14th and Ellie Maurer (20:27.8) was 16th.
Galion earned the fourth and final qualifying spot to next week’s Tiffin regional meet. The Tigers were led by Brooklyn Gates, who finished 19th overall in 21:05.5.
Individually, Shelby’s Makenna Heimlich was third in 19:03.9.
Division III: There were two Division III races at Galion on Saturday with a total of eight teams and 32 individuals advancing to next week’s regional meet.
In the first Division III race, Colonel Crawford finished fourth with a team score of 133. Katie Hopkins led the Eagles, finishing 11th in 21:29.3.
Wynford’s Allison Lust was ninth in 21:27.4.
In the second Division III race, Crestview finished third in the team standings with 90 points. Brooke Barnes led the Cougars, finishing fifth in 21:02.5. Tessa Kuhn was seventh in 21:16.9.
Bucyrus’ Jessica Mahley was 14th in dividually in 21:51.5.
