Boys Cross Country wins TRC Championship

On the morning of Oct. 11, the boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Three Rivers Conference (TRC) Championships at Lowry Sports Complex in West Milton. The boys team was named the champions for the third year in a row. 

“Winning the TRC for the third year in a row shows our hard work and it feels even more rewarding each time,” senior Chase Parsons said. 

Head coach Mike Meredith was also named ‘Coach of the Year’ for the third straight year. 

Junior Colin Hinkelman led for the Bulldogs and took a first place finish. He won the race in a time of 16:05.6, and his younger brother, Grant Hinkelman, followed in second place. He finished the race in a time of 16:31.5. 

Next for the boys was senior Andrew Oaks, who placed eighth and ran a time of 17:12.7, Finn Hinkelman in 13 with a time of 17:35.4, Parsons in 20 with a time of 18:06.5 and Tyler Shoemaker in 40 with a time of 19:55.2.

The team had a combined low score of 44, which was 10 lower than the runners-up, Bethel. 

C. Hinkelman, G. Hinkelman and Oaks were all named ‘First Team All-Conference’ and F. Hinkelman was named ‘Second Team All-Conference.’ Parsons and Shoemaker received ‘Honorable Mention All-TRC.’

The girls' team, unfortunately, did not get their three-peat, but were the runners-up behind Lehman Catholic by only two points. Aubree Bates led for the team as she placed second in a time of 20:12.7. 

Sydnie Bartlett placed ninth in a time of 21:27.8 and following her were Amelia Iddings in 15 with a time of 22:24.3, Alaina Manning in 20 with a time of 23:13.8, Madalyn Korte in 22 with a time of 23:38.6, Mallory Coate in 30 with a time of 24:43.4, Jessa Lightner in 35 with a time of 25:10.7 and Lola Taylor in 36 with a time of 25:19.1. 

Bates was the only athlete on the girls side who was named ‘First Team All-Conference,’ but both Bartlett and Iddings were named ‘Second Team All-Conference.’ Also, Manning and Korte were named ‘Honorable Mention All-TRC.’ 

The teams will both compete in the District Championships on Oct. 18, and if either individuals or teams qualify out, they will move on to compete at the Regional Championships on Oct. 25.