Ironton High School Crowned SE Ohio Division 3 Boys District Champions

UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE — This is what you call running on high octane.

Local teams produced two champions and a runner-up last Saturday at the district cross country meets held at the University of Rio Grande.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers boys’ won the Division III District I championship while the Fairland Lady Dragons claimed the girls’ Division III title. The Fairland Dragons boys’ team finished as runners-up in Division II District II.

Besides the team titles, the Ironton Lady Tigers’ Taylor Hacker was fourth in the girls’ Division III district meet and the Ironton girl's team narrowly missed qualifying for the regionals as they finished fifth.

Hacker had a 21:22.38 clocking as she finished fourth overall. Also running for Ironton were no. 18 Ariel Schweickart at 22:57.21, No. 50 Kaylie Sturgill 25:24.17, No. 70 Hannah Cronacher 27:06.93, and No. 76 Alisa Schaus 27:24.65.

The top four teams and top 16 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the regionals.

“Our boys and girls really stepped it up. They ran as well as they have all year. They set a goal of making the regional meet and they were determined to meet that goal,” said Ironton coach Tim Thomas.

Ironton had 35 points to win the Div. III meet with Paint Valley second at 55. Southern had 89, South Webster 125, Federal Hocking 129, Southeastern 133, Wellston 157, Whiteoak 192 and Oak Hill 203.

Gary Monroe turned in a 17:52.98 time to finish third overall and teammate Dustin Moritz was fourth at 17:54.23.

Pierce Reeves at 18:36.86 was eighth for Ironton, Levi Runyon ninth at 18:39.22 and Adam Stumbo was clocked at 18:41.56 to place 11th.

Also running for Ironton were No. 54 Tyler Lawless (23:22.32) and No. 63 Sean Lawless (24:58.56).