CAMBRIDGE — It’s reached the point of the cross country season where place is more important than time.

Several area harriers — and teams — produced places that were good enough to extend their season for at least one more week during action at Saturday’s Eastern District Cross Country Championship held on the sun-drenched Cambridge City Schools campus.

Locally, Martins Ferry and Buckeye Trail’s girls advanced collectively to the regional, which will unfold next Saturday at Pickerington North High School, in Division III. In Division II, St. Clairsville qualified to run again as a squad.

Along with those teams, six individuals will be in the mix at the regional.

Division III

Martins Ferry finished third with 91 points and had three runners qualify in the individual portion of the event, too.

The Purple Riders were led by freshman Josie Hancock, who finished fourth overall in 20:52. Senior Chloe Hill was fifth in 20:53. Sophomore Hannah Hupp was 11th in 21:35.

Other Riders to figure in the team score were freshman Jaqulynn Gill, who was 25th overall and senior Hope Lewis.

“I felt like the girls had a really solid race,” Ferry head coach Chrissy Lewis said. “The girls seem solid and strong. We’re recovering from those injuries earlier in the season. We’re going to fight and scrap and do the best that we can next week.”

Buckeye Trail grabbed the fourth of five team slots with 141 points. The Warriors were led by all-Ohioan Kathryn Williams. She took her first steps toward a return trip to National Trail Raceway with a district championship. She toured the 3.1 mile course in 19:40, which was 56 seconds faster than her nearest competitor.

The only other area team to qualify multiple runners to the regional was Bellaire, which will send senior Katrina Davis and freshman Bethany McElfresh.

Davis posted a sixth-place overall finish in 21:02, while McElfresh was one spot and 21 seconds behind Davis.

Returning state qualifier Livi Beard finished second overall to earn a trip to Fairfield County. She posted a 20:36 for the silver medal.

Division II

St. Clairsville’s girls finished seventh overall with 222 points to earn a trip to next week. The Red Devils were led by individual qualifiers Allyson Evonek, who was 12th overall and junior Maggie Marody, who was 18th. They ran times of 20:47 and 21:25, respectively.

Other Red Devils to figure into the team score were sophomore Haven Brak, sophomore Shay Baker and junior Victoria Trouten.

Harrison Central’s sister duo of Jasmine and Destiny Arnold punched their ticket by placing 14th and 29th, respectively.

Steubenville’s Anastasia Crisante was the first runner not from Tuscarawas Valley to cross the line. She was fourth overall.