By Cort Reynolds
The Ada cross country team competed at the five-school Hardin County Invitational at Kenton Monday evening.
The Ada boys came in third out of four full squads. The Lady Bulldogs finished fourth out of four full teams, with five represented.
Many new personal records were set by several Ada team members including Brayden Cheney, Nora Dellifield, Olivia Ennis, Dani Waugh and Jil Wolber.
"This is a great way to lead into our conference championship meet this Saturday at Columbus Grove," said first-year head coach Josh Klein.
"At the beginning of the season, my goal was for our girls to bump up a rank at the conference to fourth instead of fifth place. We were able to beat Paulding at the Kalida meet, so I believe that we will be just as strong, if not stronger at this meet as we will be regaining Abbie James after battling an ankle injury throughout the second half of the season."
The NWC title meet is Saturday morning at Grove at 10 a.m.
"For the boys, I set my goal at the beginning of the season to develop a boys team that can compete for the years to come," said Klein.
"This will be a challenge for the next school year, as all but two of my boys are graduating in the spring. This being said, I am excited for my two four-year letter winners Keaton Kipker and Andrew Robey to finally be able to compete at a conference tournament as a team."
Senior Eric Armbrecht paced the Ada boys at Kenton, as he has all season. Larry Zembower ran second for the Bulldogs. Olivia Ennis was the top Ada girls finisher, followed by Mara Guyton.
Ada times at Hardin County Invite
Eric Armbrecht 20:13.06
Larry Zembower 21:08.62
Andrew Ross 21:53.22
Keaton Kipker 22:20.0
Andrew Robey 23:25.06
Brayden Cheney 24:03.66
Brice Ferguson 27:30.66
Olivia Ennis 23:27.34
Mara Guyton 24:59.18
Alexis Ennis 25:21.31
Jil Wolber 26:01.88
Nora Dellifield 28:36.56
Dani Waugh 29:04.22
"No matter how the results turn out on Saturday, I am extremely proud of the athletes this season for being flexible with me as their new coach as I help develop the program while showing improvement meet after meet," said Klein.
