BELPRE — The Marietta girls opened the track season with a strong showing, piling up 116 points to claim the team title Friday at Belpre’s Rhodes Lawncare Back on Track Season Opener, while Waterford narrowly edged the Tigers for the boys championship.

Shenandoah finished runner-up in the girls standings with 101 points, while Eastern and Meigs tied for third with 68.

On the boys side, Waterford totaled 120 points to hold off Marietta (115), with Philo placing third (82).

Marietta’s girls were powered by a balanced effort across the board, highlighted by a win from Kipplyn McNeal in the 400 (1:09.25). The Tigers also got a runner-up finishes from Maya Diki in the 100 (13.83) and 200 (28.47), while Teagan Brown finished third in the 1600 (6:16.81). Marietta sealed the team title with a victory in the 4×400 relay (4:46.55).

Shenandoah standout distance runner Ida Estadt won the 800 (2:26.88), while teammate Alyssa Crum took the 1600 title in 6:07.27. Brenna Leach added a win in the 200 (27.39) for the Zeps.

Eastern swept the girls throwing events behind Isabella Wilcoxen, who won both the shot put (33-2.5) and discus 110-0.

Waterford’s Emma Schaad was a double winner, taking the 100 hurdles (18.41) and high jump (4-10), while also placing third in the 800.

On the boys side, Waterford was powered by a standout day from Ryder Wolfe, who swept the hurdle events. Wolfe finished the 110 hurdles in 17.45 and won the 300 in 45.15. Teammate Colby Roberts dominated the throwing events, winning the shot put (47-1.5) and discus (131-8).

Marietta’s boys turned in several strong performances in the runner-up effort. Reid Sloter won the 400 (52.79) and added a third-place finish in the 200, while Ian Putnam claimed the 800 title (2:10.29) and placed second in the 1600 (4:41.07). The Tigers also won the 4×800 relay (9:02.88).

Belpre’s Brayden McDaniel was a double placer, finishing second in the 200 and third in the 400 while Shenandoah’s Emmitt Slevin turned in an impressive distance performance with a victory in the 3200 (9:27.32).