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Johnstown senior Stephanie Loshbough enjoys the moment with her parents, Nancy and Dave, as she signs a letter of intent Feb. 3 to run cross country and track at Ohio University. Buy This Photo

Stephanie Loshbough loves her hometown, so making her college selection was pretty simple.

The Johnstown-Monroe High School senior signed Feb. 3 to run cross country and track at Ohio University.

“It was a lot like Johnstown because it had a really homey feeling,” Loshbough said. “I know I wanted to stay in state so I could be close to home, but not too close to home. It was just a great fit.”

Cross country coach Eric Hamner, former track and field coach Mark Thomas and Johnstown historian Don Harvey all believe Loshbough is the first athlete from the two programs to sign with a Division I school.

Loshbough said she had offers from most Ohio colleges, but Ohio and Akron were the finalists.

“I know there will be some adjustment to college,” said Loshbough, the daughter of Dave and Nancy Loshbough. “I need to stay focused and keep working hard.”

Loshbough finished ninth in the Division II state cross country meet last fall at National Trail Raceway, completing the course in 18 minutes, 39.75 seconds.

A two-time all-state performer, Loshbough also placed 21st (19:20.1) in the 2010 Division III state meet at Scioto Downs.

“I’m thrilled that she signed with OU because they have a good program,” Hamner said. “They have signed some really good athletes, not only this year but in the two previous years. They have been good at making good runners better and that is sometimes hard to find at the college level.”

Loshbough said competing at Johnstown has prepared her for college.

“Coach Hamner was a really good coach and he made us do college workouts anyway,” said Loshbough, who added she received a three-quarters scholarship and wants to major in nursing at OU. “It will definitely be a change, but I don’t think I’ll be surprised.”

Loshbough also runs distance events in track. She will be trying for her first state berth this spring.

“The same things that made Stephanie successful in high school — her hard work and dedication — will make her successful at the next level,” Hamner said. “She needs to do the things to keep herself from being injured such as cross training and doing what the coach suggests.

“Stephanie sometimes has a lack of patience, wanting to jump in and do the high-mileage and faster pace too early and work herself into injury. She is not afraid to work hard, but she has learned when to run farther and when to run shorter in a training plan. That has helped her to maximize her potential.”

•The boys basketball team had its five-game winning streak snapped Jan. 31, losing a non-league contest to Watkins Memorial 47-46.

William Orr scored 12 points to lead the Johnnies, who dropped to 9-7 overall. Harley O’Flaherty had 10 points and Aaron Estep added nine points.

The Johnnies still were in the MBC title hunt going into a league contest Feb. 3 at Centerburg.

Before Feb. 3, Loudonville (9-1) led the league followed by Fredericktown, Johnstown and Utica (all 7-3), Northridge (4-5), Centerburg (3-7), Danville (2-7) and East Knox (0-10).

The Johnnies play Tuesday, Feb. 7, at home against Fredericktown and Friday, Feb. 10, at Loudonville. Johnstown lost 63-55 to the Freddies on Jan. 6. The Redbirds won 45-28 on Jan. 10.

“We’re heading into a difficult stretch and we need to keep playing well,” coach Kevin Martin said. “Anything can happen with the league race with Centerburg beating Loudonville (39-36 on Jan. 24). We can’t worry about anyone else, but just have to go out and win our games.”

On Jan. 27, the Johnnies beat East Knox 70-47. Orr scored 14 points, O’Flaherty had 11 points and Tim Sayer added nine points.