GALION — The Galion High School boys cross country team collected the team championship in the 2021 Crawford County meet.
Sophomore Chad Taylor paced the Tigers by winning the individual title.
“Being county champs was their first team goal. Now, they look ahead to their next goals and begin working on steps to accomplish them,” said Galion head coach Cindy Conner.
Taylor posted a time of 17:24.74 to earn the individual championship. The sophomore was the lead runner as Galion tallied an overall score of 36.
“The boys winning the county meet is a big deal,” Conner said. “It is the first time since 2014 and I think it shows just how determined the boys are this year.”
Galion senior Kellen Kiser came in fourth place out of 41 runners with a 18:25.58 time. Also placing in the top 10 for Galion were Cannon Butler and Erik Hilario.
“I was very happy to see Kellen step out of his comfort zone and attack for the front of the pack, finishing fourth,” Conner said. “This was a lifetime PR (personal record) run for Kellen and I’m sure it won’t be the last one of the season.”
Behind Galion in the team standings was Colonel Crawford with 49 points, Buckeye Central with 61 points, Bucyrus with 84 points, and Crestline with 134 points.
Luke Lawson of Colonel Crawford came in second place with a time of 17:59.85. Buckeye Central’s Caden Young was third with a time of 18:20.97. Bucyrus’ top runner was Devin Deskins, who was timed at 18:48.17.
On the girls side of things it was very competitive. Colonel Crawford came out on top with 29 points, Galion scored 40, and Wynford had 52. To round out the standings was Buckeye Central with 123 points and Bucyrus had 137 on the scoresheet.
Galion’s Raygann Campbell was girls race champion with a 19:25.14 time.
“We are very excited for Raygann to take the individual champion spot again this year. We knew going into the race that a few Crawford girls were going to give her a run. We had talked about some strategies and Raygann exceeded expectations,” said Conner. “She hasn’t been running quite what she has wanted this season and I think today was the beginning of many great runs for her this season. She has her eyes set on some individual goals and team goals too.”
Zaynah Tate held down the seventh spot finish for the Tigers with a time of 21:20.97. Nora Harding ran a 21:41.74 for a top 10 finish.
After that it was three Colonel Crawford runners, really helping their scoring. Gabby Roston finished with a time of 20:08.57 and Izzy Roston was next up with 20:43.31 on the time clock. Rounding out some top five scoring for the Eagles was Olivia Hardy with a 20:51.83.
Wynford’s Chloe Kaple ran 21:39.94, which was good for an eighth-place finish. Fellow teammate Brianna Westrick finished 10th, crossing the finish line at the 21:47.59 mark.
Buckeye Central’s top girl runner was Nevaeh Metzger, who finished at the time of 22:39.86, good for 15th place.
Harper Boggs led the way for Bucyrus with a time of 25:06.83.
Upcoming schedule
Galion will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Old Fort Invitational. After that meet, the Tigers will compete in the Crestline Invitational on Tuesday, Oct. 5 and then the Marion Harding Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 9.
The Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16 at Marion Harding. Meet time is 10 a.m.
Galion will host the Division II District Meet on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Amann Park. That meet begins at 10 a.m.
