PICKERINGTON — The Ashland boys cross country team turned in a championship performance on Saturday afternoon in central Ohio.
The Arrows won the Division I title at the Panther Cross Country Invitational in Pickerington.
Unleashing a breakthrough team effort, Ashland scored 56 points in a field of 12 Division I teams. More than half of Ashland’s 19 runners ran personal-best times, according to coach Cameron Johnson.
The Arrows were led by Andre Harrison, who ran a 16:48 to finish fifth among a field of 168 runners. Teammate Lukah Will was right on Harrison’s heels, placing sixth in 16:55. Also scoring for Ashland were Josh Bonfiglio (12th place in 17:03), Luke Wash (15th in 17:05), and Brody Blough (18th in 17:42). Two more Arrow runners earned medals. Owen Lemon (18:10) and Jaden Backensto (18:15) finished 28th and 30th, respectively.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Johnson said. “I’m looking at the times and more than half of these guys had PRs today.
“After weeks of facing injuries, sickness and other distractions, it was awesome to see the guys put it all together.”
The Ashland girls cross country team claimed fifth place at the same event.
Isla McFrederick was the top performer, busting the tape in 29th place with a time of 22:23. Ava Cline was right behind her teammate, taking 30th in 22:23. Ava Bracken was just five seconds behind them (31st in 22:28), followed by Karley Summerfield (35th in 22:46) and Megan Swain (57th in 23:38).
Both teams teams will compete next Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Harding Invitational in Marion. The Ohio Cardinal Conference championships are slated for Oct. 15 at Wooster High School.
