The ORVC cross country meet was run in a drizzling rain on Tuesday evening at Hanover, but the Switzerland County boys and girls teams turned the meet into their own personal victory lap, claiming both titles while dominating both races.
The boys team captured the first four places in the meet and placed five team members on the 12-person All Conference team.
Senior Clay Meyer won the individual title for the second straight year in a time of 17:08; outdistancing second place Corey McFarland (17:58) by 50-seconds. Third was Pacer Tray Meyer, who finished in a time of 18:11; and the top four was rounded out by Josh Hon in a time of 18:13.
Freshman Anthony Dennis made it five Pacers in the top 12 with a ninth place finish in a time of 18:39; as the top 12 finishers earn places on the All Conference team. Tanner Ross was 14th overall in a time of 19:25; and Quinn Meyer finished 34th overall in a time of 21:58.
The Switzerland County team score of 19 dominated the day, far surpassing second place South Ripley’s score of 59. Madison Shawe was third with a score of 106; followed by Jac-Cen-Del with 115; Rising Sun with 116; Southwestern with 118; and Milan was last with a score of 168.
“The boys put on an unbelievable performance in the race,” Coach Mark Boggs said. “Despite the wet and cooler conditions, each runner ran with a great amount of determination and heart.”
While the boys were celebrating their conference dominance, Coach Boggs also sounded a warning for his squad not to be satisfied.
“We’re not done yet,” he said. “A week from now we will look to have another strong performance at the Hanover Sectional.”
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The Lady Pacer team also dominated the conference meet, placing four runners in the top 12 to earn All Conference honors and winning easily in the team competition.
Switzerland County finished with a team score of 41 to lead second place South Ripley, who had 63; and third place Jac-Cen-Del, which finished with 67.
Rising Sun was fourth with 82; followed by Milan with 106. Southwestern and Madison Shawe did not have enough runners to record a team score.
Freshman Bre Hinman had an outstanding race, finishing second overall in a time of 21:40. She was followed by Amber Meli in seventh place in a time of 22:35; Allie Mathews in ninth place in a time of 22:57; and Andrea Brogan in 12th place in a time of 23:37.
All four earned spots on the All Conference team.
Alexis Carfield finished 14th overall in a time of 24:01; Beth Abbott was 17th in a time of 24:18; and Halie Thomas was 21st in a time of 25:19.
“First of all I am very happy for senior Beth Abbott,” Coach Boggs said. “She has been with us for four years and a team conference championship is something that she’s always wanted. Her leadership and work ethic has been outstanding. All the girls have a lot to be proud of.”