Lancer boys, girls 2nd at district CC meet

Lincolnview cross country information

OTTAWA — The Lancer Cross Country teams competed in the Division IV District Championship meet in Ottawa on Saturday.  The District meet is the first qualifying meet leading up to the state meet in two weeks.

Both teams took home the district runner-up trophy, placing second behind Minster in both races to earn a trip to the regional meet in Tiffin next Saturday.

The Lancers also placed three boys and three girls in the top 16, which would have made them individual regional qualifiers if the team had not placed in the top four.

The boys and girls season record remains identical at 178-15. The boys ended the regular season ranked No. 12 in the OATCCC state poll and the girls ended the regular season ranked No. 17.

The boys narrowly lost to Minster 83-90.  Leading the boys was Austin Elick, who placed ninth overall. He was followed by freshmen Alek Bowersock, who placed 12th, and Trevor Neate, who placed 13th. These three boys were all individual regional qualifiers.

Rounding out the scoring were Karter Tow, placing 24th; Andrew Fickert, placing 34th; Jacob Keysor, placing 53rd; and Brayden Farmer, placing 62nd.

“It was not our best race of the season, but we did what we had to do to advance,” said Lincolnview Coach Matt Langdon. “Andrew stepped up for us today in the fifth spot and allowed us to take home the runner-up trophy.

“We hope to be at full strength next weekend at the regional meet and take our shot at qualifying for a third consecutive state championship meet,” Coach Langdon added. “At the end of the day, it is just a great feeling to advance.”

The girls placed second behind No. 1-ranked Minster. The Lady Lancers were led by Anna Gorman, who placed 10th overall in the race, making her an individual regional qualifier. Other individual qualifiers included Rylee Byrne, in 12th place, and Abbie Enyart in 14th.

Rounding out the scoring for the Lancers were Alena Looser, in 18th place; Brayden Langdon, 21st; Madeline Snyder, 22nd; and Trinity Welch, in 29th place.

“The girls ran a great team race today,” Coach Langdon noted. “We had some sickness and injury that we were dealing with, so it was great to see the girls pick each other up.

“Besides our three individual regional qualifiers, I thought Alena really stepped up for us,” he added. “She ran the race of her career today on a day when we needed just that.

Coach Langdon said the Lincolnview girls now get an opportunity to run in the regional meet next weekend.

“All you can really ask for at this point in the season is an opportunity at qualifying for the state meet,” the coach said. “The girls have that and we are excited to see how it turns out.”