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John Marshall’s Mack Allen Claims Martins Ferry Cross Country Invitational

Zervos Leads Monarchs Girls’ Team to Victory

Photo by Rick Thorp John Marshall’s Mack Allen was the winner of the Martins Ferry Invitational, his first varsity victory, with a time of 17:44.

MARTINS FERRY — A pair of first time victors stepped to the top of the awards stand Saturday morning as the Martins Ferry Cross Country Invitational welcomed another talented pool of runners.

River senior Livi Beard claimed the girls’ championship, while John Marshall sophomore Mack Allen captured the boys’ title before an eager group of onlookers taking in the Labor Day weekend staple.

The host Purple Riders rolled to the boys’ team crown with 29 points behind four top 10 runners. Buckeye Local was a distant second, followed by Brooke, John Marshall, Steubenville Catholic, Indian Creek, Bridgeport, Wheeling Central and Linsly.

John Marshall was the girls’ winner, topping Martins Ferry, 40-59. Linsly was third, followed by Shadyside, River, Steubenville Catholic and Wheeling Central.

Beard has been a major player on the scene in the sport for four years, but she was finally able to add this meet to her list of victories thanks, she said, to a revamped pre-race approach.

“I did a longer warm-up than usual,” Beard said after crossing the finish line in 20:35. “I did about 2 miles to get myself mentally prepared.

“I haven’t done as well as I’ve wanted thus far (this season), but it was a lot better this time.”

Beard finished 44 seconds ahead of runner-up Zara Zervos of John Marshall — the two-time defending champ. Steubenville’s Crisante Anastasia (21:29) and Linsly’s Haley Heitz (21:41), both sophomores, were third and fourth, respectively. Martins Ferry freshman Josie Hancock (21:48) was fifth.

“We had a freshman (Hancock) that had a really nice race, and that will really help us out,” Purple Riders coach, and meet director, Chrissy Lewis said.

Beard wasn’t challenged, though, surging into the lead about a half mile in.

“I conserved myself a little more than normal,” she said. “I went out a little slow because of the hilly beginning.”

Beard’s strategy worked and resulted in a victory she hopes will help catapult her to where she wants to go.

“I trained with more speed over the summer, and I’m a senior, so that gave me a little more motivation,” she said.

“I want to break the school record and get in the low 19s or high 18s then place at state. That’s my end goal.”

State, too, is where Allen would like to perform in a few months. He got off to a good start toward that goal, winning his first varsity race with a time of 17:44.

“Coming in, I had high expectations for myself,” he said. “I wanted to win the race. I came in with that mentality and it turned out well.”

Allen wanted to get out fast and stay there. That approach worked well for the Monarch, who wants to get to 16:50 by season’s end.

“I’m already doing way better than last year,” he said. “I’m thrilled (with the victory). I just want to get to state this year. That’s my main focus.”

A trio of Purple Riders followed Allen — Elijah Smith (18:11), Francis Toohey (18:16) and Wyatt Wodarcyk (18:20).

“Before the race started, I was just going to pace off of Mack because I knew he was pretty fast,” Smith said. “He got off quick and I just kid of settled into my own pace.”

Martins Ferry’s Trent Lewis was ninth (18:39).

“I think we ran solid,” Lewis said. “We still have a lot of work to do. The mental aspect right now is what we have to work on. Physically, we’re very fit.

“This is nice to do well here. It’s close to home and we always want to put a good show on here.”

Newcomerstown Invitational

NEWCOMERSTOWN — Harrison Central’s Eric Leech was second and the Huskies’ Jasmine Arnold was sixth on the course at Newcomerstown High School.

Leech, a senior, posted a time of 16:43.5, finishing behind Caldwell’s Mason Ackley (16:18.6).

Arnold crossed the finish line in 19:23.3. the Huskies’ Destiny Arnold was 12th in 20:51.1.

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