CAMBRIDGE - The run of success at the district level continued for St. Clairsville High School Saturday afternoon.
After the Red Devils golf team claimed the top prize a couple of weeks ago, the St. C. cross country teams got into the act on the Bobcats campus, sweeping both the boys' and girls' crowns in the district meet, which sends teams to the Pickerington North regional.
"Our kids ran well, and I am very proud of them," St. C.coach Tony Ciroli said. "The conditions were tough with the course being so muddy, but we made it through and we're happy about that."
The Red Devil boys were a runaway winner, finishing with 45 points, 20 fewer than West Holmes.
Senior dandy Andy Thornburg, a returning all-Ohioan, took his first steps toward a return trip to the state meet when he finished just behind John Glenn senior Zak Geiger.
Thornburg toured the course in 16:38, while Geiger finished in 16:24.
"Andy beat Zak at the Claymont Invitational, and I thought it would be a similar race where he could close in at the end, but it wasn't," Ciroli said. "We're OK with it because we survived another week, and that's the most important thing."
St. C. not only qualified as a team, but it also had three other individuals qualify by placing inside the top 16.
"Coming in here and scoring 46 points is really nice," Ciroli said. "Hopefully, we get some sun and wind to dry out the Pickerington course this week, but we're growing used to running in rough conditions."
Junior Drake Walker continued his superb season with a bronze-medal finish in the district. He posted a solid 17:08.
Junior Joey Davies was third for St. C. and ninth overall in a time of 17:43. Senior Cole Antolak had a strong run, crossing the line as the clock struck 17:48.
Steady sophomore Alex Timko rounded out the scorers for the Red Devils, finishing 21st overall in a time of 18:39.
The St. C. girls captured yet another district title in an even bigger rout than the boys. The Devils finished with 62 points, which was 35 better than Indian Valley.
"All season, we've gone one, two, three and then there's a pause," Ciroli said. "Then we have our fourth and fifth come in. But, what we need to do right now is continue to get those fourth and fifth up there and close the gap somewhat."
Junior Juliana Madzia led the Red Devils with a third-place finish in a time of 19:54.
Classmate Amy Castle finished fifth overall in 20:03, while senior Melanie Hannan posted a 20:42 and an eighth place finish overall.
Senior Brooke Bosworth put forth a strong run, finishing 11th overall in a time of 21:09.
"Brooke's been coming on for us," Ciroli said. "She's looked real good of late and had a strong race. We need that to continue because next week (at the regional) is going to be tough."
Rounding out the scoring for the Red Devils was freshman Joanna Vincenzo, who was 35th overall in 23:40.
The other Division II district meet contested sent the top four teams and 16 individuals to Youngstown Boardman.
Harrison Central's girls will send one individual to meet. Senior Lauren Yoho qualified by virtue of finishing seventh in a time of 20:44.
Buckeye Local senior Leah Figurski posted a 14th place finish in a time of 21:33 to punch her ticket to the next level.
