Yellow Jackets boys take runner-up at Newark Invitational; Rush claims fourth title for girls

Three top 11 runners helped lift the Mount Vernon boys’ cross-country team to a second-place finish in the Newark Invitational on Sept. 13.

The Yellow Jackets scored 81 points, just behind winner Canal Winchester which had 70. Fredericktown was third with 87 points.

Freshman Calvin Heithaus led the Jackets by finishing as the runner-up in a time of 16:03.5. Owen Petrie was fifth in 17:13.2, followed by Gavin Andrews in 11th at 17:24.8. Joey Butts (26th, 18:19.9) and Nathan Jose (43rd, 19:14.9) rounded out the scoring for MV.

The Freddies were led by Lincoln Snyder, who placed eighth in a time of 17:17.1. Darren Hartley was 17th in 17:43.4, followed by Carter Budd (29th, 18:23.5), Trace Armstrong (30th, 18:29.6) and Gideon Rashley (33rd, 18:44.2).

Danville also had four runners compete, led by Johnny Stephens in 51st place at 19:37.3. Ethan Swendal finished 53rd in 19:46.4, followed by Evan Crider (21:19.4) and Nick Mosher (21:26.8).

On the girls’ side, Lucy Rush won her fourth invitational title for MV, crossing the line in 18:32.6. Her win helped the Jackets place eighth as a team with 194 points. Canal Winchester was the winner with 71, with Fredericktown fourth at 115.

Callie Peugh finished 47th for Mount Vernon in 23:20.7, followed by Amanda Misarti (23:49.1), Cora Stetler (23:56.4) and Madison Seng (32:24.5).

Fredericktown’s pack was led by Peyton Blakesley, who came in 16th in 21:10.4. Gwen Lavin was 21st in 21:25.5, followed by Elizabeth Swartzentruber (23rd, 21:38.6), Madi Shade (32nd, 22:19.1) and Angelina Overholt (35th, 22:35.3).

Danville was led by Brooklyn Ashman, who finished 53rd in 23:35.8. Raegan Malone was next for the Devils in 25:00.2, followed by Gracie Lucas (25:27.0) and Hailey Colopy (28:56.3).