State-ranked Fairfield Lions win Ohio Classic at Liberty Park
HILLSBORO — The Fairfield Lions boys cross-country team continued to add to their 2015 trophy collection on Saturday morning, winning the annual Ohio Classic held at Liberty Park in Hillsboro.
Fairfield, who are ranked seventh in the state at the Division III level, won for the second consecutive time this season, defeating 16 other teams en route to their victory. In all, there were 168 runners in the event.
"I'm really pleased with how well we were packed together in our finishes," FHS head coach Raymond Friend said. "We don't have a guy who can run a 16-minute race right now, but we have really good depth, really strong 4-7 guys."
The win saw the Lions score 39 points, followed by second-place Teays Valley with 44 points. Teays Valley senior Steven Adams won the event with a time of 17:02.
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As for the Lions, they took four spots in the Top 10, led by sophomore Matthew Mangus in fifth place with a time of 17:46 in conditions that had grass at a higher level, and the previous night saw a rain storm come through the area.
Mangus was followed by sophomore Noah Richmond at 18:06 in sixth (18:06) and seventh-place finisher Trent Swisher at 18:11. In 10th for the Lions was freshman Austin Setty at 18:25.
The Lions also had the 11th-place finisher with junior Wyatt Evans at 18:50, and in 13th was sophomore Andrew Davis with a time of 18:57. Freshman Brandtson Duffie finished in 18th to give the Lions seven runners in the Top 20 with a time of 19:10.
"This improvement in our race at Liberty Park compared to past years is all on what the guys have done this summer," Friend said. "This time of year, we are usually trying to get to the point where we can win races and be in shape. This year, the guys came ready, in shape and it is showing. This is all for what they've done.
"I'm really proud about how well the season has started so far."
Also for FHS, junior Dillon Burley was 23rd at 19:49, and in 26th was junior Mason Cain (20:15). Sophomore Nick Price of the Lions was 29th (20:22), and freshman Bennett Hodson had a finish of 40th with a final time of 20:48. Others running for FHS were freshman Phoenix Taylor (26:45), Jason Moeller (27:31) and Riley Friend (33:07).
Friend also spoke about the Lions' rank in the state by the coaches association.
"It's an honor that people are noticing our times, but we still have to race all year," he said.
The host of the event, the Hillsboro Indians placed ninth in their home meet, with senior Zach Middleton leading the way for HHS at 19:07 in 17th place, followed by Mackenzie Conlon at 19:31 in 20th place.
Other times for HHS included, Justin Scott in 49th (21:16), Bailey Lucarello (23:35) and Fred Green (35:42).
Also from Highland County, the McClain Tigers were 17th as a team. Jacob Badgley led the Tigers with a time of 22:23 in 76th place. Also for the Tigers, Jacob Roeder finished with a time of 23:25. Other times for the Tigers included: Seth Cross (25:13), Kaleb Harper (25:59), Michael Ditmer (27:14) and Ryan Wilkin (28:41).