The Tyrone Area cross country boys team split a triangular meet with Mount Union and West Branch at home on Tuesday.
The Golden Eagles defeated Mount Union 19-36, and dropped a 24-21 decision to West Branch.
Dustin Elder was the Eagles top finisher with an overall second place finish in 19:41, followed by Bradley McNeal was seventh in 20:59, Nathan Kruise eighth in 21:18 and Phil Kreckle rounded out the top 10 in 10th place with a time of 22:39.
West Branch runners claimed five of the top 10 positions.
“I was very happy with our boys,” said Tyrone cross country coach Tammy Wills. “They are all coming along so well. We knew it was going to be close going into today and they went out and gave it their all and it showed. Unfortunately, we came up just a little short against West Branch.”
Ethan Lidgett of West Branch was the first runner across the finish line in 19:29, and Dustin Drake was the top runner for Mount Union, the only Trojan runner in the top 11, with a fifth place finish in 20:18.
Other runners for the Eagles included Randy Wilson, who just missed the top 10 with a time of 22:40, good for the 11th spot, Joe Miller was 19th, Caleb Dillon 22nd, Anthony Romano 23rd, Ben Smerekar 26th and Jake Smerekar 28th.
“Dustin is doing great, he ran such a hard race today, and so did Nathan Kruise. Nathan is one of the best freshman boys we have ever had and is going to be such a key part of this team. Bradley McNeal had an outstanding time, coming back from an illness that really had him down and out. It was so great to see him come back in his first race of the year. Philip Kreckle has really stepped up and filled the gap between our third and fourth runners in the past. Randy Wilson is just running awesome. He had his personal best last week and improved on it this week. Also running very well for us are Joe Miller, Caleb Dillon, Ben and Jake Smerekar and Anthony Roman, who ran his first race today and will be a welcome addition to the team.”
The Tyrone Lady Eagles had only four girls run in the meet, and lost 15-50 to both opponents, because five runners are needed to score points for a team.
Salena Bradigan was the top Lady Eagle with an 11th place finish in 31:18, Lizzy Shields was 13th in 33:13, Amber Davis was 16th and Brittany Hosband was 18th.
Katrina Woods of Mount Union was first in 23:52 and West Branch’s Shandra Murray was second in 25:34.
“The girls ran very hard, and once again numbers played a role. Hopefully, we will go into next week with a full team,” commented Wills. “Salena Bradigan, who was our first runner today, ran a hard race. I am very pleased with how she is running so far this season. Lizzy Shields, ran her first race today, as did Brittany Hosband. I think they are both going to be important members of our team. I really look forward to be seeing what they can accomplish.
“This was Amber Davis’ final race on our course. She is our only senior and has been a member of our team for four years. I was very happy with her race today. She had one of her better times on our course and I think she was happy with herself also.”
The Tyrone cross country will participate in the Lion Invitational at Fort Roberdeau on Saturday with the race beginning at 10 a.m. and then travel to Bellwood for a meet with Bellwood-Antis and Bishop Guilfoyle on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. start.
