Belpre’s Shy Miller finished runner-up during Saturday’s 26th annual Elizabeth S. Broughton Memorial Cross Country Invitational with a time of 21:01, which was 10 seconds faster than Warren third-place finisher Ashlee Pate. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Warren swept the team titles here Saturday at the 26th annual Elizabeth S. Broughton Memorial Cross Country Invitational as Warrior Luke Rettenberger repeated and Marietta junior Hailey Powell put on a dominating performance.

“It was just amazing. This year I’m just totally shocked,” Powell said of clocking in with a victorious effort of 19 minutes and 24 seconds, which was well ahead of her 22:30 a year ago when she finished 12th.

“I was just trying to get 20 and break my PR from last year. I wasn’t even nervous at all, which is weird. I usually am.”

News and Sentinel 2-mile champion Ashlee Pate of Warren had to settle for third after finishing 10 seconds behind Belpre’s Shy Miller. The Golden Eagle senior crossed in 21:01.

“I just used the hill because usually it’s everybody’s weakness,” Powell said of how she managed such a big lead.

Belpre freshman Drew Williams, rear, runs behind Warren junior Luke Rettenberger and Waterford senior Gavin Offenberger early in the race Saturday morning at the 26th annual Elizabeth S. Broughton Memorial Cross Country Invitational. The Warrior defended his title with a time of 15 minutes and 32 seconds. The Wildcat finished in 16:13 to place runner-up after taking third in 2024. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“I just use it as my strength and I try to just pass as much people as I can going up that hill. Then I just try to keep my place the entire race.”

Powell, who finished ahead of Warren’s Adi Greenup (4th, 21:49) and Rania Singh (5th, 22:07), Caldwell’s Emma Hayes (7th, 22:49), Eastern’s Lily Simpson (8th, 22:50), Waterford’s Emma Schaad (9th, 22:53) as well as Tiger teammates Teagan Brown (5th, 22:16) and Kelly Nicholas (10th, 23:15), said she moved into first as she neared the top of the hill.

“I just went off of feeling,” admitted the Tiger of having to run by herself. “Like not thinking about it because I didn’t want to over think it.

“It’s awesome. A really good feeling of accomplishment. I think we have a pretty strong team and everybody has been working hard this season so far.”

The Warriors, who posted a 31-57 victory over the runner-up Tigers, also had scoring efforts from Hollyn Reed (13th, 23:30) and Cate Edgell (14th, 23:48). Marietta’s other scorers were Kathryn Anderson (28th, 26:43) and Neveah Collins (38th, 44:40).

Marietta junior Hailey Powell ran a 19:24 on Saturday morning to win the 26th annual Elizabeth S. Broughton Memorial Cross Country Invitational. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Warren’s boys, who are hoping to have a big season and make a run at the state meet, amassed 36 points en route to the team title as Caldwell nipped the host Tigers for second, 68-70.

Rettenberger prepped for Saturday’s opener by running and winning the News and Sentinel 2-mile race for males last weekend.

“The goal to go into today was running under 16,” admitted the Warrior. “I ran a 16:11 here last year and I figured ‘might as well see if I can run 15s again.'”

Waterford’s Gavin Offenberger improved by 29 seconds from last year when he placed third as his 16:13 was more than enough to finish runner-up.

“I’d say about 200 meters past the hill I started to put my long legs into use and worked down the hills getting some distance on him,” Rettenberger said of taking the lead for good from the Wildcat.

Warren placed four of its runners in the top 10 thanks to Alex Bishop (3rd, 17:07), Caleb Yost (7th, 17:56) and Spencer Rehl (9th, 18:21). Nick Bishop was the fifth scorer for WHS after placing 16th with a time of 19 minutes and 8 seconds.

“Alex did fantastic today. He’s right on the cusp of getting under 17,” Rettenberger said. “I can’t wait to see him do that and then see Caleb and Spencer under there, too. We’ll have a good group.

“Our motivation is definitely making it to state. This is the team to do it. I think about it all the time. Us all sitting there, eating dinner at states and having fun. That’s the main motivator for us.”

Yost, who would like nothing more than a trip to state, said of having the two-time champ leading the way “he’s an absolute beast.

“As long as I’ve known this guy he’s been training so hard and he’s going places. He’s just wicked fast and he’s just the man.”

Marietta’s top effort came from junior Ian Putnam, who finished fourth with a time of 17 minutes and 17 seconds.

The second-place showing from Caldwell featured top 10 clockings by Alex Sheanshang (5th, 17:46), Aiden Danford (6th, 17:55) and Zane Boyd (8th, 17:58) along with scoring efforts from Marcus Rohrbaugh (22nd, 19:43) and Banx Postlethwait (37th, 22:09).

Fort Frye junior Brody Griffin (18:21) topped freshman teammate Declan Schaad (18:26) for the final spot in the top 10.

The Tigers also received scoring runs from Emmett Parman (12th, 18:29), Ezekiel Minard (13th, 18:53), Camden Space (14th, 18:57) and Oliver Estes (35th, 21:56).

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com