For the first time in many years, the Magnolia High School cross country teams hosted their own invitational meet on the old golf course and marina, Sept. 22.

The boys’ team made the 3.1 mile race a success by virtue of a first place place finish with 30 points over runner-up John Marshall at 44. Following were Cameron, Linsly, Bishop Donahue, Tyler, and River. Top finishers for the boys were Joe Feeney and Nathan Harshberger.

The girls’ team then turned around and pushed across a runner-up finish, just behind champion John Marshall. Other team finishers were Cameron, Bishop Donahue, Linsly, River, and Tyler. Top finishers for the girls’ team were Rachel Hoffpauir and Christa Harshberger.

This season the River Pilots have a very young team. Only two of the Pilots’ eight high school runners are upper classmen and the others six have limited experience from last season. This makes it tough to compete against older, more experienced runners. ” I was pleased to see these kids perform so well at this local meet,” said River Pilot Head Coach Matthew Swank.

“We did not know what to expect from most of the other schools present, because we usually do not compete against them until the OVAC meet in October.”

River Freshman Laken Ramsay and sophomore Emily Dierkes both ran strong races. They got out ahead early and stuck with it, finishing first and fourth overall. For the boys, junior Josh Bartrug was their top runner, coming in ninth.

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On the following Saturday, the Blue Eagle teams went to Grafton to run against the top-rated AA teams in the state. Bringing home a third place trophy with a close 83 points, the Eagles let the championship slip away by only eight points to Philip Barbour (75) and the runner-up trophy by four points to host Grafton (79). Just behind them were Elkins (84) and Doddridge (85) in one of the tightest finishes of the year involving state ranked teams.

Other teams participating were Bridgeport, W. Va., Ritchie County, Buckhannon, Robert Byrd, South Harrison, Lincoln, and Pendleton County. Top finishers for the boys were Joe Feeney (10th) and Alec Hinerman (11th).

The girls’ two runners were Christa Harshberger (54th) and Julianne McIlvain (81st).

The Blue Eagles’ next competition is Oct. 10th at the OVAC Championships at Meadowbrook High School.

Results:

Girls

1 Ramsay, Laken River Girls 22:16.94

4 Dierkes, Emily River Girls 23:43.21

8 Harshberger, Christa Magnolia Girls 25:13.14

9 Imhoff, Randa River Girls 25:26.37

11 Yost, Jennifer Tyler Girls 25:51.86

18 Duvall, Erica River Girls 30:13.12

19 Childers, Alli Magnolia Girls 31:22.63

23 Forrester, Kari Magnolia Girls 34:21.65

25 Pfohl, Ashley Tyler Girls 35:29.08

26 McIlvain, Julianne Magnolia Girls 38:11.50

27 Hostetler, Gabrielle Magnolia Girls 41:24.88

Boys

1 Ankrom, Hunter JM Boys 17:45.06

3 Feeney, Joe Magnolia Boys 18:09.21

4 Harshberger, Nathan Magnolia Boys 18:22.18

6 Hinerman, Alec Magnolia Boys 18:39.75

7 Feeney, Bill Magnolia Boys 18:52.32

9 Bartrug, Josh River Boys 19:05.12

11 Haught, James Magnolia Boys 20:01.31

12 Price, Brandon River Boys 20:03.11

25 Lancaster, Kyle Magnolia Boys 22:14.37

35 Wohnhas, Skylar River Boys 25:04.87

37 Hinkle, Jared River Boys 26:04.85