VW boys, girls qualify for CC regionals

Van Wert independent sports

OTTAWA — The Van Wert boys were second and the girls fourth to advance both teams to Division II regional cross country competition in Tiffin next weekend.

The Cougar boys were led by senior Cade Fleming, who finished fifth in 17:17.2 — behind four Defiance runners — while freshman Callahan Wolfrum was eighth in a time of 17:27.7. Dylan Lautzenheiser was 12th in 17:31.9 while Thane Cowan finished 17th in 17:48.3 and Stephen Hamblet was 22nd in 18:10.2. Western Buckeye League rival Defiance won the Division II race with a score of 16 points, while the Cougars had 64 points. Perennial cross country powers Eastwood and Liberty-Benton were third and fourth, respectively.

The Van Wert girls had 110 points, good enough for fourth place behind race winner Liberty-Benton, runner-up Defiance and third-place finisher St. Marys.

The Lady Cougars’ top finisher was Chloee Gamble, who was 16th in 21:07. Other Van Wert girl finishers were Natalie Riethman, 19th in 21:44, and Julia Springer, 20th in 21:49.0.

Crestview sophomore Ashley Bowen qualified for the regional cross country meet, finishing ninth in a time of 21:08.8.