PICKERINGTON — Aw, what the heck. Let’s just all go.

The top 16 runners and top four teams earn a berth in the state meet. The Ironton Fighting Tigers cross country team decided to not to worry about who might get a state berth individually by qualifying as a team.

Ironton had its best finish as a team in school history by finishing second in the Division III regional cross country meet Saturday to earn a trip to the state meet next weekend at Scioto Downs in Columbus.

“It was a great day,” said Ironton coach Tim Thomas. “All their hard work paid off. We finished the season strong and I hope we have one more good week in us.”

Baltimore Liberty Union had 94 points to win the meet with Ironton a close second with 105 points. Bellaire St. John was third at 135 and Galion Northmor fourth with 144 points in the 16-team field.

Senior Gary Monroe led the way as Ironton continued its remarkable run through the tournament.

Monroe was ninth overall with a 16:44.2 time. His time was actually the same as Sean Kennedy of Fredericktown but it was a pick ’em in a photo finish.

Senior Pierce Reeves finished at No. 19 with a 17:15.4 time and senior Dustin Moritz was No. 24 with a 17:32.6 time.

Finishing at No. 39 was senior Adam Stumbo with a 17:59.6 clocking while junior Levi Runyon ran an 18:18.6 to finish in the 53rd spot.

Also running for Ironton were Cody Wise at 20:08.3 and Tyler Lawless who had a 20:20.9 time.

Each team enters seven runners with the top five runners scored.

“We had pretty good times our of all our runners. We even had a few personal records,” said Thomas.

Coal Grove junior Jacob Pauley ran an 18:102 and finished No. 45 in the field.

As for the girls, Ironton didn’t qualify as a team but senior Taylor Hacker earned a second straight trip to the state meet as she finished 13th overall. Hacker ran a 20:20.2 time as Ironton finished 12th as a team.

Hacker is the first Ironton runner to qualify for the state meet twice.

“Taylor ran well but she can run better. She had a little bit of a head cold and was congested, so we need to get her healthy,” said Thomas.

Galion Northmor won the meet with 94 points followed by Fredericktown with 117, Granview Heights 122 and Johnstown-Monroe had 153.

Ironton was 12th with 253 points and Fairland had 285 points to place No. 14 as a team.

Ariel Schweickart was next for Ironton in the No. 45 slot with a 21:53.6 time. She was followed by Maggie Thomas at No. 83 with a 23:09 time, Kaylie Sturgill No. 96 at 23:57.4, and Shannon Walker had a 24:41.4 clocking to place No. 106.

Hannah Cronacher ran a 25:08.2 time to finish in the No. 110 slot and Ashton McMackin was No. 116 with a 25:37.9 time.

Fairland was led by Sydney Pettit at No. 53 with a 22:10.7 time. Tori Hutchison ran a 22:41.5 to place No. 73, Megan Ashton had a 23:05.5 to finish No. 83, Kennon Clarkson was No. 87 with a 23:21.9 time, and Savannah Nelson came in at No. 104 with a 24:38.8 time.

Carrie Tanner had a 26:02.4 time to place No. 119 and Carmen Webb was No. 125 with a 26:52.4 time.

The boys Division III meet begins at 11:05 a.m. while the Division II starts at 11:50. The girls’ Division III will run at 1:20 p.m.