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Mountain League champs The Tyrone boys cross country team captured the Mountain League Division II championship at Wednesday’s Mountain League Meet at Indian Valley. Front row (left to right): Dustin Wilson (manager), Travis Johnson, Randy Wilson and Derrick Wilson. Top row: James Russell, Dustin Elder, Rich Stever, Ben Smerekar, Evan Lewis and Nathan Kruis. (The Daily Herald/Courtesy Photo) |
The Tyrone cross country teams participated on Wednesday in the first Mountain League Cross Country championship.
The Golden Eagle boys claimed the Mountain League Division II title in the first year of the 10-team, all-sports league.
Rich Stever was the top Tyrone placer with an overall ninth place in a time of 17:53 at the Indian Valley course. Dustin Elder was 15th in 18:21, Nathan Kruis was 21st in 18:47, James Russell was 26th in 19:07 and Travis Johnson was 45th in 21:16. Evan Lewis (50th) and Derrick Wilson (53rd) also ran for the Eagles.
“I am so proud of all these boys,” said Tyrone Cross Country Coach Tammy Wills. “They have all worked so hard this season and it is really showing. We knew going in that it was going to be a tight race in the division and that it might come down to a point or two to win. We have talked a lot about it the last week or so and what each of our guys needed to do, and they went out and did it!
“Rich, Dustin Nathan and James all ran awesome races, they had some of their best times of the season. Part of the key to winning, was Travis and Derrick. They both ran tough races, brought their times down and did exactly what we needed them to do. Coach Dillon and I are thrilled with the way Evan Lewis ran today. He was scheduled to run the junior varsity race, and was a last-minute replacement on the varsity. We are just where we need to be at this point, and I am really looking forward to what all of these boys could do at the district meet in a few weeks.”
The Tyrone girls were able to have five girls race, one of the few times they have been able to actually have the required runners to score, due to illness, injury and simple lack of numbers in the program.
Ashley Ford led the Lady Eagles with an overall 43rd place in 25:51, followed by Rachel Clapper (45th), Annie Daugherty (47th), Megan Miller (49th) and Stephane Schmidt (51st).
“Ashley Ford once again, led our girls. She ran a great race today,” said Coach Wills. “All of our girls keep getting better. Watching Ashley run, you can just see the determination on her face. It is all about the race and nothing else matters. Rachel Clapper followed closely behind Ashley, with her best race yet, as did Annie Daugherty. They are both looking stronger and continually improving. Megan Miller and Stephine Schmidt had nice races.”
