East Jay runners pick up victories

The Chiefs had their first home meet of the season Thursday.

Both teams picked up wins.

East Jay Middle School’s boys and girls cross country teams took first place in a meet with the West Jay Eagles and Bluffton Tigers.

The EJMS boys claimed the top three spots in totaling 23 points for first place. Bluffton scored 35 for second, and West Jay was third with 78 points.

East Jay’s girls had six finish in the top 10 and totaled 22 points for the win. Bluffton was runner-up with 52 points, and West Jay earned 72 points for third.

Cameron Clark, Tony Wood and Creed Beiswanger crossed the finish line in first, second and third, respectively for East Jay’s boys. Clark had a time of 11 minutes, 47 seconds — six seconds ahead of Wood. Beiswanger finished in 12:13.

Jacob Monroe was eighth, and Gabe Pinkerton placed ninth.

Jackson Edwards led West Jay by ending in 10th, while teammate Liam Garringer was one place behind. Kamon Grubs finished 17th, Trevin Dunnington was 19th and Landon Grayson took 21st.

Ayla Graber was the top runner for the EJMS girls as she was second overall, ahead fellow Chiefs Natalie Carreno (third) and Alexis Sibray (fourth). Paityn Wendel and Emily Manor were sixth and seventh, respectively, to complete the team scoring. Mallory Winner was 10th.

West Jay’s girls were led by Makinsey Murphy’s fifth-place finish. Hailey Ayala joined her in the top 10 in eighth place, and Lucy Raines finished 16th.

Ava Bechtol (20th) and Sarah McClain (23rd) also scored for the Eagles.