As easy as one, two, three. That’s how the Magnolia Boys Cross Country Team began its 2011 season. Senior All-Staters Bill Feeney and Alec Hinerman and junior letterman James Haught launched themselves into harrier lore by taking the first three places at the Martins Ferry cross country meet.

The Blue Eagle team tamed the rugged Purple Rider trails (with course nicknames like “Heartbreak Hill” and “Mount Suribachi”) by scoring a rare triple against some impressive Ohio talent.  

The top three finish is a perfect score through the first three runners. Steadily improving junior letterman Kenny Headley and freshman David McIlvain closed out the scoring with an 11th and a 13th place, respectively, to put the Magnolia team in first place to stay. Helping the cause were junior lettermen Mikal Raber, 21st place, and Kyle Lancaster in 30th place.

“We know we have to get better,” said veteran Coach John Holliday, “But today shows we are on the right track for future success. It is nice to get the first race out of the way. We have huge team potential if everyone stays focused and keeps working hard.”

The girls’ team was lead by junior letterman Christa Harshberger with a fine fifth place finish, pulling the Lady Eagles into fourth place. Next was Sarah Goddard, in her first race ever, in 14th place, followed by sophomore letter-winner Shelby Sands in 27th place, freshman newcomer Katie Ensinger in 31st place, and junior letterman Julianne McIlvain in 37th place.

“The girls raced very competitively and I am pleased with their effort,” Holliday commented. “I can’t say enough about Christa Harshberger’s finish against some real strong competition. If we ran that same race again in three weeks, she would win the whole thing, I believe. And Sarah Goddard is a newcomer but showed her potential by beating some experienced runners today. Shelby Sands, Katie Ensinger, and Julianne McIlvain give us a full girls team for the first time in a long time and I am happy with our fourth place finish.” About the team’s prospects, Holliday said, “When you look at our roster you see a lot of experience. Experience should teach these boys and girls that to be successful you have to put in some out of season work throughout the summer and, for the most part, that didn’t happen. We are starting behind other teams that we want to be competitive with. We only have a matter of weeks to get ready for the big races that will determine if our season is a success or not. Both of these teams have goals for this year, but we still have a lot of work to do. A goal is something one works for, otherwise it is just a wish.”

The Eagles’ next competition will be at the giant Scenic Hills Cross Country Invitational at Warren Local High School on Sept. 3.