With only two seniors staying in its top seven this year, the Granville High School girls cross country team will be expected to run with the state's elite once again next season.

That's probably good news for the boys squad, too, because there are plenty of similarities linking the two. That included the fact that both qualified for last Saturday's Division II state meet at Scioto Downs, a rare first in a program that's enjoyed plenty of success down through the years.

"The makeup of the two teams is pretty close," coach Bob Hollen said.

Leading the scoring for both teams was a tandem of juniors, and all four runners earned first-team honors two weeks ago in the district meets at Watkins Memorial.

Nick Burger finished first for the Blue Aces and 18th overall (18 minutes, 41 seconds) at the regional meet on Oct. 31 at Pickerington North, where the Blue Aces (95 points) were the team runner-up to St. Clairsville (59).

Cody Washka was a step behind to place 19th overall (18:43) as the boys qualified for state as a team for the first time since 1999 to finally emerge from the girls team's considerable shadow.

"I guess we finally got them," Burger said with a laugh. "But the girls team was very, very good. Earlier in the year, they were the ones bringing home all the trophies (including first-place efforts in the Granville Invitational on Sept. 5 and also the Division II race at the McGowan Invitational Sept. 12 at Watkins). We have a great running program all the way around, and we just kept working to stay with them."

Anna Lamb ran first for the Blue Aces and 12th overall (21:07) during the regional while Megan Gaysunas finished 14th (21:15), and those efforts keyed a third-place finish (85) behind St. Clairsville (29) and Minerva (83) as the girls advanced to state as a team for the first time since 2001.

"The best thing is nobody feels left out. We've had years when we had a girls team or an individual make it and none of the boys did or vice-versa, but getting both teams there is exciting for everyone," Hollen said. "And after going fifth and fifth last year (at the regional meets to miss twin state berths by one spot each), this year's finish was pretty satisfying."

The girls team, which was dominant in capturing the Section 1 district team title Oct. 24 by outscoring runner-up Bexley 22-72, had seniors Katie Black and Sara Fondriest in its top seven. The others were junior Kate Van Ness and sophomores Ellie Crawford and Ali Larsen.

Lamb won the individual title (20:13) and Granville repeated as MSL-Ohio Division champions on Oct. 17 at the Bryn Du Mansion in Granville. However, Gaysunas won the individual title (20:23) at the district meet. That isn't to say there's a rivalry developing between the two, however.

"No, I wouldn't call it that," Lamb said. "We just push each other. It's always nice having a teammate like that."

The boys team, which also was dominant in winning a section 1 district team championship by outscoring runner-up Caledonia River Valley 37-86, had seniors Peter York and Kristopher Klark in its top seven. The others were sophomores Jacob Fondriest and Eric Sneckenburg and freshman Logan Pitcher.

Washka finished third overall (18:02) at the MSL-Ohio meet as the boys team also successfully defended their title, and he also ran third (17:28) at the district meet before Burger led Granville's pack at the regional. There were more surprises on the boys side, however.

"There were more kids in and out of the top seven," Hollen said. "And if you would have told me last year at this time that Peter York was going to be in our top seven going to the state meet, I'm not sure I would have believed you."

Another surprise was the fact that there were few personal records established this season, which in part can be traced to so many wet Fridays that softened courses throughout central Ohio. Lamb, Washka and Burger all failed to lower their best career times.

"I think (Gaysunas) did, but most of us didn't because the conditions were always so tough," Lamb said.

At times, this season was about adapting to the conditions and runners from both teams were successful in that aspect. Fortunately, running practices through the woods and on the hills at the biological reserve at nearby Denison University proved to be valuable experiences.

"We were changing spikes at the last minute (at the regional meets)," Hollen said. "It was just that kind of a year, but I think our practices really prepared us."

Both squads also are expected to add an infusion of talent next year, too. Granville enjoyed another first when it hoisted all four trophies awarded at the MSL-Ohio meet, which included victories in both junior-high races. Moreover, the boys junior-varsity team also won while the girls squad was runner-up to Bexley.

"Our (varsity) teams are pretty comparable, and the coaches have always done a great job keeping our practices the same," Burger said. "The girls are going to have four or five really good seniors next year, though, so us boys are just going to have to keep working as hard as we can."

•VOLLEYBALL -- Heath finished 23-3 overall with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-14 loss against Franklin Bishop Fenwick last Wednesday in Wilmington, ending a third consecutive season with a Division III regional semifinal loss.

Still, the Bulldogs have put together a 65-9 combined record since 2007. They were the top seed for the district tournament this year and in '07, when they finished 24-2 and won the MSL-Ohio title. Heath went 18-4 a year ago.