Hillsboro Indians, De-Andre Steward SCOL boys cross-country champions
GREENFIELD — Finding one extra gear in the final stages of his South Central Ohio League run, Hillsboro senior De-Andre Steward was able to break away and break the course record at Mitchell Park to become the 2014 SCOL champion.
Steward, who qualified for the Division II State Cross-Country Championships in 2013, set the standard at Mitchell Park with a championship first-place time of 15:31.8.
"De-Andre faced some tough competition this race and this year," HHS coach Jimmy Rhoades said. "It is always a friendly rivalry that's always been between him and his cousin (Donavan Lowe of Chillicothe), so to see them compete all the way to the end … that was nice.
"He (Steward) has continued to improve this season. He works hard, continues to grow and he knows this is something he wants to continue."
Lowe finished in second at 15:42.0.
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Not only did his time set the course record and earn the first-place finish, Steward was a part of a team victory as well, with the Hillsboro Indians placing first overall as a team for the SCOL championship. HHS totaled a low-score of 30.
"This was a good push we've had towards the end of the season," Rhoades said. "We finally have all of our guys back, healthy and pushing it.
"A league championship is always nice. To come here and put your best foot forward is good to see."
Hillsboro had three of the Top 6 finishers in the boys race with Trey Moberly placing fourth at 16:36.8 and Mackenzie Conlon in sixth at 17:14.7.
All three of those finishes also earned them first-team All-SCOL honors as well.
HHS also had finishers in 10th and 11th place with Gabriel Tamborski in 10th (17:23.3) and Chase Vance in 11th (17:23.5) with both earning second-team All-SCOL honors.
Other HHS results included: Steven Burton (20:26.9), Fred Green (25:37.1), Zach Middleton (18:11.3), Micah Pinney (19:31.2) and Justin Scott (19:57.2).
Listed are the overall Top 8 (first-team All-SCOL finishers):
1. De-Andre Steward (HHS, 15:31.8)
2. Donavan Lowe (CHS, 15:42.0)
3. Blake Pittser (MT, 16:13.9)
4. Trey Moberly (HHS, 16:36.8)
5. Zach Sluder (WSHS, 17:00.0)
6. Mackenzie Conlon (HHS, 17:14.7)
7. Brandon Mingus-Harris (CHS, 17:14.9)
8. Allister Brausch (WHS, 17:15.2)
For the McClain Tigers, they didn't have a team score, but had four runners in the event. MHS results were: Austin Pollock (19:18.3), Jacob Roeder (21:58.8), Adrian Weller (25:55.3) and Brandon Adams (28:13.7).
As for the final team score, Chillicothe was second (66), followed by Wilmington (93), Miami Trace (94), Washington (101) and East Clinton (119). McClain and Clinton-Massie didn't field a full team.