Bridgeport’s boys cross country team picked up where it left off. And so, too, did the girls team – just a little bit better.

 

The Indians boys and girls both were strong in their season-opening meet Saturday at the St. Marys Autumn Classic. The Tribe swept the field on both sides of the ledger.

 

The Indians boys won with 105 points to edge past Ritchie County with 109 points and Fairmont Senior with 113 in what was a 17-team field. The girls had an easier go of it as they finished with 35 points, to cruise past Ripley with 57 points and St. Marys with 70. There were eight teams competing in the girls’ field.

 

Bridgeport’s defending state champion Class AA-A boys team won in a manner that they’ve become accustomed to – by using a deep and talented roster. This time, however, it used its depth possibly better than ever in recent years. BHS did not have a single runner finish in the top 10.

 

“Probably six years,” said Coach Jon Griffith when asked about the last time that happened.

 

In cross country, however, it’s not necessary to have the top finishers. Instead, it’s more important to have as many runners finish as close to the top as possible, which was the case for the boys.

 

“Depth was huge for us.  Even at that we had three boys that ran their first ever cross country race and were in the top five scorers for us; Jackson Jacobs, Tristan Shaw and Jon Luke Massie.  That isn’t what we expect normally,” said Griffith. “They should continue to improve as the season progresses and they develop a better sense of how to run a cross country race.  Hunter Hutson and Cade Robinson had very good races and are showing great improvement from last year.”

 

Jacobs was just outside the top 10 at No. 11 in a field of 169 runners. He posted a team-best time of 18 minutes, 28.2 seconds. Hunter Hutson was next at No. 19, while Cade Robinson was 21^st overall. Tristan Shaw was 26^th

 

“Jackson Jacobs looked very good for his first time running a cross country race.  He has a natural build for long distance running and a good pedigree,” said Griffith. “His father was an outstanding distance runner for me in track back in the day.”

 

For the girls, there were not only two finishers in the top 10, there were two in the top five. That is a good signal considering the Tribe returns their entire roster from last year’s third place Class AA-A team.

 

Julia Muller finished runner-up in the event with a time of 21 minutes, 2 seconds. Emma Campbell was fifth with a time of 21 minutes, 34 seconds. BHS had three more in the top 15 and all grouped together in Michaela Perri (13^th), Jenna Soltesz (14^th) and Brooke Wagner (15^th).

 

“The girls ran a great meet.  Julia is continuing where she left of in the spring.  She had a great kick to finish the race.  Emma ran excellent as well to finish fifth,” said Griffith. “Not far behind were Michaela Perri, Jenna Soltesz and Brooke Wagner in a row ... Any coach would take that kind of finish for their team.”

 

While pleased with all the runners, Griffith liked what he saw from Perri.

 

“Michaela Perri was probably the most improved.  She has been working very hard over the summer to get ready and it really showed,” said Griffith.

 

Bridgeport will get another major test this weekend. And it will happen on their home course.

 

The Charles Pointe-Indian Run Invitational will take place at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. The contest begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. More on the event later this week on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Photos from Saturday's meet, including the teams posing with their championship trophies above and below.