URICHSVILLE — Many area cross country runners got their first 2020 taste of an invitational Saturday at the Claimant Early Bird.

Martins Ferry’s boys enjoyed the top team finish, placing second with 61 points. The Purple Riders placed all five of their scorers in the top 15.

Leading the way was senior Wyatt Wodarczyk, who was 10th in 18:29. Elijah Smith was 11th, while Francis Toohey and Trent Lewis finished 12th and 13th respectively. Mitchel Tickerhoof was 15th.

Bellaire finished third with 102 points and the Big Reds were led by senior standout Jacob Defibaugh, who placed third overall in 17:10. He trailed only two runners from Canton Central Catholic.

Harrison Central’s Logan Laney had a strong showing, finishing ninth overall.

ON THE GIRLS SIDE, Harrison Central’s Jasmine Arnold raced to the meet championship with a time of 20:45.

Her sister, Destiny Arnold, finished seventh in 22:53.

Buckeye Trail was the top area girls’ team. It placed third with 83 points. Leading the way for the Warriors was junior standout Kathryn Williams, who placed second in 21:33.

Martins Ferry’s Josie Hancock turned in a sharp time of 22:19 to finish fifth overall.

Bellaire’s Bethany McElfresh was 11th overall, while Ferry’s Hannah Hupp was 14th.

In the big-school girls meet, St. Clairsville junior Allyson Evonek was 12th overall in 21:59.

VOLLEYBALL

Shadyside sweeps River

SHADYSIDE — The homesteading Lady Tigers picked up another victory Saturday morning, posting a 25-11, 25-19 and 25-16 victory.

Leading Shadyside on the stat sheet were Gentry Brown who had 10 kills and two aces and two blocks. Tory Hendershot had nine kills and four aces. Caroline Mercer had 22 assists and three digs. Baylee Wach had four assists and two aces.

River was led by Emily Taylor, who had three kills and seven digs.

Toronto tops Bridgeport

AT TORONTO, Bridgeport fell to 0-4, losing to the Red Knights, 25-17, 25-14 and 25-19.

Bridgeport was led by Brooklyn Zonker’s 10 kills, seven digs and a block. Markie McCormick had 13 assists, seven digs and two points. Kaylee Bain contributed six points, two aces and nine digs. Campbell Kropka added nine points, two aces and eight digs. Emmi Felton had seven kills and two points.