Jim Walker/The Ironton Tribune

RIO GRANDE -- They ran and they ran and they ran. And the ran well.

Area cross country runners gave good performances Saturday at the Rio Grande Cross Country Invitational.

Ironton's Rachael Payne had a season-best time of 25:21 for the 500m course to finish 22nd. Ashley Neal was 28th overall with a personal-best 26:10 clocking, and Brittany Walker, despite being slowed by an injury, ran a gutsy 30;21.

"Rachael and Ashley competed very well," Ironton cross country coach Tim Thomas said. "They had their best times, so what more can you ask for? Brittany has run in the 24s, so you can see she's having a lot of trouble with the injury but she just wouldn't quit."

The girls individual winner was Mindy McNubb of team champion Caldwell which had 36 points.

The Rock Hill boys were fifth overall with 133 points.

Topping the Redmen were Ryan Maddy with a 20:01 time to place 19th. Chris Kelley was 28th with a 20:42 time followed by Joe Kline who was 35th at 21:32, Ricky McDonie 39th at 22:01, and Aaron Stumbo 45th as he ran a 22:24.

Ironton's Jason Philabaun had a solid effort with a 26:16 clocking and finished 60th overall.

The individual winner was Ethan Schaffner of Liberty Union with a 17:28 time.

In the junior high meet, Rock Hill's boys finished 7th.

Ricky Johnson topped the Redmen with a 13:39 time to place 33rd. Zach Nelson was 44th at 14:06, Wes Pierson 66th at 15:25, Andrew Stumbo 68th with a 15:32 time, Bryan Smith 70th at 15:34, and Tyler Dickess 93rd with a 17:22 time.

The Rock Hill girls Amy Pierson was 52nd overall at 18:31 and Candace Chaffins 74th at 20:49.