MORRISTOWN — The Buckeye 8 Cross Country Championship was ran on a new course with Union Local hosting the event Wednesday afternoon.

Outside of that, though, not much else changed.

For the third consecutive season, Martins Ferry swept the team titles and for the second straight year Bellaire’s Jacob Defibaugh and Harrison Central’s Jasmine Arnold won the individual titles.

The Purple Riders boys left little doubt as they claimed their sixth consecutive title. Coach Chrissy Lewis’ team finished with 29 points, which was 46 better than runner-up St. Clairsville.

“We were able to bring back an injured runner and he seems pretty good, our guys ran together in a nice pack and it was a good day,” Lewis said. “Winning again is pretty nice. We thought the boys had a really good shot. The pressure was really on the girls, but they came through and we’re proud of them.”

The Riders delivered to a tune of taking half of the 10 All-Buckeye 8 spots.

Leading the Riders was junior Francis Toohey, who ran an 18:04. Closely following him were senior Wyatt Wodarcyk and Elijah Smith, who crossed in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Junior Trent Lewis and senior C.J. Anderson finished ninth and 10th to round out the scoring.

St. Clairsville produced one All-League performer in senior Hunter Tomich, who ran an 18:11.

The Big Reds finished third, but Defibaugh cruised by himself for most of the race en route to the title. Fresh off a personal-best time last weekend at Newcomerstown, Defibaugh didn’t expect to see similar time on the stopwatch because of the UL course.

“Because of how the course is, I had planned to go out fast,” Defibaugh said. “I had a specific plan coming into this event. This is the most difficult course we’ll run on all year, so sometimes you have to look at place over time. I ran a great race (at Newcomerstown) and I didn’t expect to run a P.R. here.”

Union Local’s lone All-Buckeye 8 performer was Shawn Coe, who ran an 18:16 for eighth place.

GIRLS

The Purple Riders got all they could handle from St. Clairsville, but two All-Buckeye 8 performers and all five scorers inside the overall top 20 proved to be enough for Ferry to notch its third consecutive crown.

Leading the Riders was sophomore Josie Hancock, who finished second to Arnold in 21:55.

Hannah Hupp was fifth overall and second for the Purple in 23:15. Other Ferry scorers included: Jaqulynn Gill (11th), Lanee Matz (17th) and Kayla Theaker (19th).

St. Clairsville, which ran without Alyson Evonek, finished 11 points back. The Red Devils were led by senior Maggie Marody, who was third in 22:09.

Senior Victoria Trouten was ninth to earn All-League in 24:35.

Harrison Central was led by senior standout Jasmine Arnold, who is trying to leave no stone unturned during her senior season.

She cruised to victory in a solid time of 20:42.

“Knowing that all of these meets are my last one is exciting and scary at the same time,” Arnold admitted. “I’ve been running at these since junior high and knowing it’s my last time motivates me. I thought to myself at the (starting) line, ‘this is your last Buckeye 8 meet, so you better make it count.”

Destiny Arnold was eighth overall to garner All-Buckeye 8. She clocked a 24:26.

Indian Creek’s Madison Conrad was fourth overall in 22:26 and teammate Amie Smith was 10th in 24:58.

Bellaire’s Bethany McElfresh was sixth in 23:33. Union Local’s Madi Sells was seventh in 23:47.