McLUNEY — It was a two-man fight for supremacy at the Muskingum Valley League Cross Country meet on Oct. 17 at Crooksville High School.
Meadowbrook's Vincent Campbell, a sophomore seeking a second title, and Sheridan's Hudson Wilson had established themselves as favorites based on past performance, a trend that continued with individual league titles on the line.
It was Campbell who won this time, clocking at 16:27 to win the 68-runner Boys Division. His teammate, junior Luke Norman, was third at 17:36.8 as the Colts, who also had senior Grady Forbes (15th, 19:00) and senior Gavin Koscoe (19:24.4) in the top 20, were second with 61 points. Morgan was third with 63.
Wilson (16:39.4) was 12 seconds back but was still runner-up to lead three of coach J.D. Walters' Generals in the top six — freshman Logan Adams (17:50.3) was fifth and Connor Heath sixth (18:01.4). Junior Aiden O'Reilly was 11th (18:50.7) as Sheridan won the team title with 40 points.
Juniors Carson Steimer (7th, 18:11.7), Rylan Tom (9th, 18:32.1), Brandon Haines (10th, 18:46) and sophomore Jordan Blackburn (13th, 18:52.0) paced Morgan; freshman Owen Lahmers was 25th (19:52.6).
Crooksville junior Luke Sheets was fourth in 17:50.2 and Tri-Valley's Alex Hogue was eighth in 18:14.5.
Other top performers included West Muskingum freshman Cohen Mowery (t-11th, 18:50.7), River View seniors Jayden Wright (14th, 18:53.0), Carson Hoke (23rd, 19:27.7) and sophomore Russell Maroni (25th, 19:46.1), John Glenn senior Kaid Ritchey (15th, 18:57.4), John Glenn sophomores Alex Applegarth (21st, 19:25.4) and Nick Yarrington (22nd, 19:26.0), Tri-Valley freshman Aiden Miller (27th, 20:08.5) and New Lexington senior Hunter Hinkle (31st, 20:41.2).
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Kuklica wins three-way fight for girls crown
Much like the boys race, the Girls Division was top heavy with three clear favorites in John Glenn senior Ashlynn Kuklica, Tri-Valley senior Erin Hogue and Sheridan senior Sheriden Glanemann.
Kuklica's penchant for rising in big meets continued in Perry County, running a 19:28.0 to win by 20 seconds among 64 runners. Her teammate, sophomore Addy Kent, was ninth (21:53.7).
Hogue, the defending champion, was second (19:48.1) and Glanemann third (19:53.8) — the next-closest finisher was West M senior Ayla Mowery, who clocked in at more than a minute later at 20:59.9 to take fourth.
Sheridan also had junior Adriana Pack (5th, 21:24.1), sophomore Eva Jones (6th, 21:30.3) and senior Addie Dennis (11th, 22:18.1) in the top 15 as it cruised to the team title with 38 points.
Second-place Tri-Valley also saw sophomore Cam Cunningham take 10th (22:15.1), junior Jordyn Frost 16th (23:52.2) and junior Rylee Frost 25th (24:21.7).
Morgan featured three in the top 20 in senior Elana Wilson (7thm 21:40.2), freshman Dakota Johnson (12th, 22:48.4) and freshman Ivy Heagen (19thm 24:03.9).
Other notables included Meadowbrook seniors Raegan Daugherty (8th, 21:52.2) and Aubri Norman (15th, 23:41.5), River View junior Emma Cochran (13th, 22:56.1), Philo's Tiffany Bertke (14th, 23:21.2), Sheridan junior Kayeleigh Cochran (17th, 23:53.0) and sophomore Payton Dittoe (18th, 23:55.2), New Lexington senior Olivia Emmert (19th, 24:04.8), Maysville junior Olivia Rusnak (20th, 24:05.2), Meadowbrook freshman Eleanor Webb (22nd, 24:16.5), Sheridan freshman Ellie Huffman (23rd, 24:19.6) and River View sophomore Charley Reed (26th, 24:39.2).
sblackbu@usatoday.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Campbell repeats as MVL cross country champ; new girls champ in 2026