Photo/SHERI McAnich River’s Cooper Brown competes in the 400 during action Friday evening at St. Clairsville. Brown qualified for the regional meet.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — One step closer.

That’s how the area track and field delegation is looking at things this morning after Friday’s Division III Eastern District Championship meet concluded at Red Devil Stadium.

The name of the game this week was to finish in the top four and earn a chance to compete again at the regional meet, which opens Wednesday afternoon at Perry High School in Massillon.

Several area athletes are returning to practice to continue their quest toward what they hope ends with a trip to Columbus in two weeks for the OHSAA’s State Track and Field Championship at Jesse Owens Stadium.

While advancing was the name of the game, there are still team scores kept. Buckeye Trail, which has been one of the up-and-coming track teams, headed back to Guernsey County with the championship trophy thanks to 86 points.

Here’s a capsule look at area teams:

BARNESVILLE

The Shamrocks will send Sam Wehr (1600), Lucas Rogers (800), Justin Lucas (high jump),

Also qualifying from Coach Dylan Rogers’ squad are 4×1 and 4×8 teams.

BUCKEYE TRAIL

The Warriors were impressive from start to finish during both days of competition en route to claiming the school’s first district championship in a still relatively brief history of the program.

The Warriors’ strength in the relays was clearly evident. They claimed the title in all three sprint team events.

The 800 team of Chase Stillion, Austin Snodgrass, Trey McGilton and Nathan LePage clocked a 1:34.99.

In the 400 relay, the same foursome that won the 800 relay passed the baton to a 45.52 to win the lap relay, too.

The 1600 team of Trey Dougherty, Stillion, Owen Stratton and LePage turned in a 3:37.58 to win the final event and put the exclamation point on the district title.

Other Warriors to advance include: Austin Snodgrass (100M), Dougherty (800), Kirkland Davis (shot put), Tyler King (high jump) and Stillion (pole vault)

EAST RICHLAND CHRISTIAN

The Lions will be represented in the regional by sophomore Sam Yourko, who was third in the 100 meter dash.

RIVER

The Pilots’ delegation will be represented by Alex Rufener (110M HH, 300IH) and Cooper Brown (400).

SHADYSIDE

The Tigers picked up a district championship in the 1600 meter run thanks to talented junior Chase Stewart. He ran four laps in 4:32.66 to win by nearly eight seconds. He also finished third in the 3200.

Other members of the Orange delegation headed for Stark County include: Jakob Klug (300 hurdles) and Dale Hawthorne (pole vault).

STEUBENVILLE CATHOLIC CENTRAL

The Crusaders got things started on Tuesday with a victory in the 4×8 en route to their runner-up finish.

Central picked up a victory in the high hurdles when Michael Herrman skimmed 10 timbers to prevail in 16.61.

Senior Vince Oliver won the shot put title with a mark of 47-5. Oliver finished second in the discus during Tuesday’s action.

Other qualifiers from Coach Bob Stanko’s team include: Seth Fitzgerald (200, 400), Joe Rohde (800), Colin Brown (3200),