Photo by Seth Staskey Linsly’s Micah Kramer finished in third place in the opening Ohio Valley Cross Country League meet Tuesday at Buckeye Local Tuesday.

CONNORVILLE — Barnesville has proven time and time again that it’s one of the area’s top cross country programs.

Though the sample size is small, the Shamrocks look like they’re going to be quite solid once again in 2022.

Veteran head coach Mark Brown watched his team sweep the titles in the opening Ohio Valley Cross Country League meet held on the sun-splashed Buckeye Local course.

The Shamrocks’ boys placed all five of their runners inside the top 16 scorers en route to a solid 47-point total. That was five fewer than runner-up St. Clairsville. Bellaire was third with 109, while Edison and Martins Ferry rounded out the top five with 111 and 144, respectively.

Fueling Barnesville was sophomore Conner Starr, who placed second overall in 18:33.

The next Shamrock to cross was sophomore Braeden Willis, who was eighth overall. Connor Warrington and Logan Dodd were third and fourth, respectively, on the team and senior Vincent Phillips closed the scoring.

In the individual boys’ race, St. Clairsville junior Ben Shields visited the winner’s circle for the first time in his prep career. Shields, who ran in the state track meet in June, turned in a solid 17:04.43 to win the title by 89 seconds.

“(To win) feels amazing,” Shields said. “I knew there would be a lot of good competition (at this meet), but I knew I had been putting in a lot of miles over the summer, and I think it paid off for me.”

Not only did Shields win his first individual race, he did so with a personal-best time. Actually, he smashed his prior previous mark by basically a full minute.

“I’ve been increasing my miles as well as running more hills than I’ve ever done before,” Shields continued. “I just want avoid peaking too early. I want to keep dropping time until the last meet of the season whether it’s regional or state.”

The Red Devils also placed junior Sawyer Bonnette in the overall top five. He was fourth with a time of 18:55.

Linsly’s Micah Kramer was third in 18:44 and Union Local’s Robbie Saffell was fifth in 19:03.

GIRLS

Barnesville — returning a solid core from its regional qualifying squad from a season ago — placed all five of their runners inside the top 15 en route to a team total of 45 points.

The Shamrocks were 41 points better than runner-up Edison and 54 fewer than St. Clairsville. Linsly was fourth with 105 and Martins Ferry finished fifth with 107.

Senior Aubrey Johnson led the Shamrocks with a third-place run. She posted a 21:35. One place behind her was junior Marah Bethel, who turned in a 22:05.

Other Shamrocks figuring in the team scorer were Delana Jenkins, Ayla Yater and Kailey Nugent.

Shadyside, which doesn’t field a full team because it has fewer than five runners, did produce the meet’s champion.

Senior standout Kenzy Beckett, coming off a solid track and field season in the spring, started her final cross season with a 21:02 as she tracked down Edison freshman Josie Lesnansky over the final mile for the victory.

“It feels really good to not see someone in front of you that everyone’s actually cheering for,” Beckett smiled. “To be able to win this race, especially in the heat, allows me to build a lot of confidence. I am pretty happy with my time for it being the first meet of the season.”

Though Beckett loves to kick late in races and make a surge toward the front, she admitted that she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to track Lesnansky down.

“I look at the people in front of me and I just focus on their steps the whole time,” Beckett said. “I keep staring down at their feet.”

Steubenville Catholic Central’s Emiliana McCalister rounded out the top five with a time of 22:20.

VOLLEYBALL

Bellaire def. River

BELLAIRE — The Big Reds made it two wins in as many outings Wednesday with a four-set victory against River by scores of 25-8, 25-12, 23-25 and 25-15.

The Big Reds were led by Zara Harveth’s 11 kills, five digs and five aces. Gianna Schmidt posted 13 aces, two blocks and eight kills. Gracelyn Maupin had 15 assists and seven aces.

Ava Marinacci chipped in with 17 assists and two aces, while Sidney Rowson posted six aces and nine digs. Brooklyn Zonker had five kills and three digs. Alexis Morgan posted eight digs.

GOLF

St. Clairsville prevails

BEALLSVILLE — St. Clairsville remained perfect in golf league play by posting a 168 at Switzerland of Ohio Country Club.

The Red Devils were better than Barnesville (177), Monroe Central (190) and Shadyside (210).

Monroe Central junior Zander Potts was the match medalist with a score of 38. He was a shot better than St. Clairsville sophomore Brodi Foster and two clear of Barnesville’s Hayden Treadway.

Meadowbrook sweeps triangular at Cadiz

CADIZ — The Colts fired a round of178 to cruise past East Liverpool (190) and host Harrison Central on Tuesday.

Meadowbrook was led by medalist Ben Coss, who shot a 3-over, 39. Harrison Central’s top finisher was Nash Roberts, who posted a 44.

Jets finish on top

SARDIS — Union Local shot an impressive team round of 175 to come out on top at Riverside Golf Club Tuesday.

The Jets finished ahead of Tyler (191), Martins Ferry (199) and Magnolia (210). Paden City and Bridgeport also sent golfers.

Beezer Porter led UL with medalist honors, shooting 3-over 38 on nine holes. Tyler’s Mason Nichols finished second at 41 and UL’s Lee Atkins signed for 42 to come in third.

Rocky Schau and Michael Green led Martins Ferry with identical rounds of 49 while Cooper Poe’s 45 paced the Blue Eagles. Will McGinnis shot 51 as Paden City’s top golfer.

BOYS SOCCER

Brooke 10,

John Marshall 1

WELLSBURG — The Bruins rolled to an lopsided win Tuesday, with six players finding the back of the net.

Ben Ferguson led Brooke with a hat trick and also saw some time in goal, making five stops. Evan Urso and Chase Hile each scored twice. Tyler and Cooper McMahon both had a goal as well.

Devin Cipoletti scored a goal and dished out three assists. Brayden Farrell also had two helpers. Jeremy Gilchrist made five saves in net.

Tayven Yeater scored for the Monarchs, assisted by Lahce Riley. Ander Wise was credited with 21 saves.