Myers, Fugiett strong in race

CONVERSE — The Patriots had to fight high winds and rain in their season opener that was eventually canceled Aug. 25

On Tuesday, the runners had to deal with heat and humidity, but they finally got to run a full race.

Jay County High School’s boys and girls cross country teams each had a strong individual performance as they competed in the Oak Hill Invitational.

The host Golden Eagles totaled 19 points to win the boys race, with Peru (101) and Mississinewa (107) second and third respectively. Jay County totaled 122 points for fifth.

The JCHS girls did not have enough to qualify for a team total.

Skyler Myers, a senior, was the top Patriot boy as he finished fourth in 18 minutes, 1.5 seconds. Tayler Smeltzer was 21st in 20:00.1, and Aaron Funkhouser was 40th with his time of 21:16.2.

Dustin Harris (21:22.2) and Mitchell Winner (21:26.2) were back-to-back in 42nd and 43rd respectively.

Sophia Fugiett led the four-member Jay County girls team by crossing the finish line in 22:19.7 for ninth. Lindy Wood placed 25th in 25:07.3, Lita Chowning was 43rd in 28:32.7 and Erica Hathaway ended 46th in 29:13.8.

Also running for the JCHS boys were Ben Hunter (46th), Ethan Andreshak (46th), Seth Wilson (49th), Ben Strausburg (56th), Nico Minnich (63rd), Kaleb Weaver (76th), Xavier Myers (80th), Kyle Theurer (89th) and Nathanael Day (91st).