The Falcons headed north to participate in the Indian Lake Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, September 28. Battling five other schools on a muddy course laden with over three inches of rain from post-tropical Hurricane Helene, the boys placed fourth out of five scoring teams with a total of 94 points, while the girls finished fifth out of five scoring teams with 119 points.

The boys’ top runner was senior Ayden Rudolf; he finished fourth out of 58 runners with a time of 18:42. The other boys to score were junior Jack Bonham (10th place; 19:22), junior Brayden Crooks (scored 25 points; 20:41), sophomore Hunter DeMarco (scored 27 points; 21:04), and senior Tyler Shefbuch (scored 28 points; 21:06).

The Falcons were without seniors Braden Bost and Sebastian Bowers, who continue to nurse lingering hip and chest injuries, respectively; freshman Harlan Putterbaugh was also out with a season-ending knee injury. Senior Weston Helman, recovering from a back injury, was a race-time decision and opted not to run. Sophomore Jesse Jenkins was also a race-time decision and while he started the race, he was forced out as he re-aggravated his lingering oblique injury.

For the girls, senior Hailey Nash continued her weekly dominance of the competition by placing fourth out of 51 runners with a time of 21:13. The other scoring Lady Falcons were junior Grace Smith (scored 27 points; 26:05), junior Ella Putterbaugh (scored 28 points; 26:19), freshman Tori Ford (scored 29 points; 28:11), and senior Demi Show (scored 31 points; 31:28). Senior Ella Parke was a race-time decision with an injury and decided not to run.

The Falcons will look to get back to health as they will host the 2024 Central Buckeye Conference postseason meet this Saturday; the boys will look to repeat as Mad River Division champions. Meanwhile, Hailey Nash will challenge two-time defending Mad River girl Runner of the Year Reagan Rash for that award, whom Nash lost to by less than half of a second at Indian Lake earlier this year. 

Race time is set for 9:00 am Saturday for the girls, and 10:10 for the boys. Seniors will be honored at 11:20 on the track. Parking is available at Graham High School, and tickets are cash only at $8.