Minerva cross country sweeps team titles at Stark County meet

As coach of the Lions’ cross country program, Olivia Scott has maintained a level of excellence few schools can rival. The Minerva cross country program did it again at the Stark County XC Championship, held at GlenOak High School Sept. 27. The girls showed why they are a legitimate threat to three-peat as state champions, and the boys have demonstrated that they have taken the next step to contend at state, as well.

In fact, not only did the Minerva boys win the Div. III/IV team title at the invitational, they won the overall title with 68 points, besting big schools such as runner-up Hoover (84) and third-place Jackson (85).

It was a little bit of old, as in senior Rowen Hoffee, and new, as in freshman Anderson Scott, that did the trick. Hoffee (16:15.08) and Scott (16:18.72) placed fourth and fifth to lead the charge. Not too far off the pace were senior Owen Yoder (16:45.43) and sophomore Tyson Fetty (16:48.55), who placed 12th and 13th, respectively. Junior Fox Johnson capped the scoring for the Lions, placing 34th on the day.

Coach Scott is pleased with her team’s progress over the season thus far, saying, “If they can all continue this trend, they’re setting us up for some big things in the postseason.”

As far as the Lady Lions go, they scored 83 points and finished second to Jackson (60) for the overall team title. Minerva did, however, claim the Div. III/IV title, besting Marlington 40-49.

Junior Makenzie Beavers, as she has done for much of the season, paced the Lions with a third place finish in 19:23.23. Right behind her was teammate Tateum Richard, who finished fourth in 19:46.52. Freshman Charlie Galley was just outside the top 10, placing 13th in 20:28.03. Sophomore Addison Keyser came in 22nd place, and freshman Chloe Carson rounded out the Lions score card in 43rd place.

What makes all of this even more impressive is that Minerva did this well without its top runner from last season, senior Gabby Lupshu, lacing up. But that is the Lions’ way: next runner up.

“These performances show how far both teams have come,” said Coach Scott. “If we keep improving like this, we’re setting ourselves up for an exciting postseason.”