Several Chagrin Valley Conference cross country teams and individuals extended their seasons on Saturday, punching their tickets to the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships after strong performances at the regional meets.
Chagrin Falls, Kirtland, Edgewood, and Orange all earned team berths to the state meet, while several individuals also advanced with top-25 finishes.
West Geauga’s Ian Res (2nd, 15:51.06) and Jacob Williams (29th, 16:40.86), and Madison’s Owen Bottar (25th, 16:36.91) punched their tickets to the state meet as individuals.
In Division III, both of Chagrin Falls’ boys’ and girls’ teams are headed to state. The Tiger boys finished as the regional runner-up with 115 points, led by Kelan Byrne (6th, 16:09.80), James Marcin (11th, 16:26.18), and Zach Huey (13th, 16:35.60). TJ Mitchell (44th, 17:29.93) and Peter Mitchell (45th, 17:30.48) rounded out the scoring for Chagrin Falls, with Alec Gresh and Michael Hanley providing key depth.
The Chagrin Falls girls placed sixth as a team, powered by Gabby Byrne’s 10th-place finish in 19:41.19. Lindsay Fisher (22nd, 20:23.67) and Mackenzie Verderber (24th, 20:28.71) also contributed strong runs to secure another trip to the state meet.
Edgewood and Orange both qualified their boys’ teams for state as well. Edgewood finished fifth with 245 points behind standout efforts from Garret Tracy (17th, 16:42.14) and Carter Cline (51st, 17:45.78). Orange placed seventh with 286 points, led by Griffin Berlin (37th, 17:15.93) and Ishan Bhatt (39th, 17:18.88).
Jefferson’s Luke Sly (15th, 16:39.76), Beachwood’s Junbo Wang (22nd, 16:50.49), and Fairview’s Bryce Ries (23rd, 16:51.53) all qualified as individuals in the boys’ race, while Orange’s Marina Campbell (8th, 19:25.02), Jefferson’s Grace Dzura (9th, 19:34.25), Crestwood’s Piper Seibold (13th, 19:58) and Madie Grace Gonczy (18th, 20:21.77), and Beachwood’s Alexandra Kheyfets (14th, 20:06.64) and Meena Abdula-Basser (19th, 20:22.57) will join the CVC contingent at state.
In Division IV, the Kirtland girls’ team earned its second consecutive trip to the state meet with a third-place finish (117 points). Izzie Copeland led the way for the Hornets, taking sixth in 19:11.54. Freshman Nadija Mrva (22nd, 20:36.38), Kylie Sayle (36th, 21:15.87), and Anna Hill (38th, 21:19.56) followed close behind to secure the team’s podium spot.
On the boys’ side, Joey Ciavarelli became the first Kirtland male runner to qualify for the state meet since 1999, finishing 21st overall in 17:29.73.
In Division II, West Geauga’s Ian Res was the top area finisher, placing second overall in 15:51.06, while teammate Jacob Williams (29th, 16:40.86) and Madison’s Owen Bottar (25th, 16:36.91) also had impressive runs.
The state meet will be held next weekend at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park, where local athletes will look to finish their seasons on the podium.
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