Injures and illnesses have been a constant during the seven regular-season meets before last Saturday's OCC-Cardinal Division meet at Westerville North.

Despite the trials and tribulations, Borawski remains positive entering Saturday's Division I district meet at Watkins Memorial.

"We'll go after it and try to get as many people to the regional meet as we can," Borawski said. "Whether it's team-wise or individual-wise. There are a few who have their eyes set on (qualifying for the regional meet). The kids are ready and the last couple of races, their times are starting to drop."

The girls team enters the district meet without its top runner, Brooke Brown. According to Borawski, Brown is out for the remainder of the season because of a hip injury.

"She's been dealing with that hip the good part of the season," Borawski said. "We've rested her a couple of races, but it wasn't something that wasn't going to improve unless she rested."

In Brown's place, Elaine Dietsch has accepted the role as the Monarchs' top runner. Last season, Dietsch and Brown were regional qualifiers. Dietsch finished 13th in 20 minutes, 4.71 seconds. As a team, the girls finished sixth (142), behind Hilliard Davidson (39).

"Elaine is running with confidence," Borawski said. "She's been consistent and is working hard and having a good season. She's definitely planning on making it back to regionals."

On the boys side, John Applegate and Joe Stammen also competed at the district meet last season. Applegate finished 46th (17:52) and Stammen was 80th (19:47). As a team, Marysville finished eighth (204), behind champion Hilliard Davidson (31).

Although the Monarchs have experience, the boys and girls teams expect younger runners to contribute.

"The younger kids shave stepped up and their times are dropping," Borawski said. "They are first-year runners and freshmen, and they're proving to be important to the team."

Freshman Emily Fitzgerald has settled into the No. 2 position behind Dietsch. On Oct. 10, Fitzgerald finished 11th at the Marion Harding Invitational in 20:59, breaking the 21-minute barrier for the first time in her career.

Also expected to contribute Saturday are Samantha Patrick and Ellie Printster for the girls team and Aaron Cingle and Nathan Wasik on the boys side.

"Hopefully we're peaking at the right time," Borawski said.

•A week after snapping its four-game losing streak, the football team lost to Westerville South 49-12 on Oct. 9 to drop to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the OCC-Cardinal entering last Friday's game against Dublin Jerome.

The Monarchs travel Friday to Westerville North, which was still looking for its first victory entering last Friday's game at Westerville South. Injuries have played a big role in the Warriors' struggles, with significant players lost at every position on offense, including quarterback.

Starter Matt Schaublin is out for the season. Ryan Clark and Kory Watson are sharing time at quarterback.

According to coach Matt Owens, those two, along with running back Kalen King, can help jump start what has been a stagnant offense that averaged 11 points per game and has not scored more than seven points in its last five games before last Friday.

"Kalen had a 50-yard touchdown run called back (in a 15-0 loss to Olentangy Liberty on Oct. 9) and Kory had 60 rushing yards. We're young, but we need to find a way to establish some kind of a running game," Owens said.

Marysville's running game, which had been a consistent source of output, was ineffective Oct. 9 against South. Nathan Weeks was held to 59 yards rushing on 15 carries. The senior fullback led the Monarchs before last Friday with 568 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 107 carries. Chris Coburn has 559 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 87 carries.

"We have to continue to do what we do and try to do it better," coach Jeff Gafford said. "We had five turnovers against Westerville South and you can't win games with five turnovers."

Marysville's Chelsea Burns (left) and Janelle Yunker enjoy a break in the action last Tuesday during an OCC-Cardinal Division match against Westerville North.

Below are recent results and coming schedule for the Marysville boys soccer, cross country, football, girls golf, girls soccer and volleyball teams:

BOYS SOCCER

*Last Tuesday -- Lost to Dublin Scioto 5-0

Last Thursday -- Played Big Walnut

Wednesday -- Home vs. Teays Valley in the first round of the Division I district tournament. The winner will play Saturday at Pickerington Central in the second round of the district tournament.

Of note: The Monarchs were 6-8-1 overall and finished 2-5 in the OCC-Cardinal.

CROSS COUNTRY

Oct. 10 -- Boys: Finished eighth (72) at the Marion Harding Invitational won by Lexington (24). John Applegate finished 16h (17:43). Girls: Finished sixth (46) at the Marion Harding Invitational won by Lexington (25). Elaine Dietsch finished eighth (20:37).

Last Saturday -- Competed at the OCC-Cardinal meet at Westerville North

Saturday -- At Watkins Memorial at a Division I district meet

FOOTBALL

*Last Friday -- Played Dublin Jerome

*Friday -- At Westerville North. Last season, Marysville won 23-0.

Of note: The Monarchs were 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the OCC-Cardinal before last Friday.

GIRLS GOLF

Last Tuesday -- Finished tied with Gahanna for fourth (351) behind Watterson (340), Upper Arlington (346) and Dublin Coffman (349). The top two teams advanced to the state tournament Friday and Saturday at Ohio State. Tess Fraser shot an 80.

GIRLS SOCCER

*Last Tuesday -- Played Dublin Scioto to a scoreless tie

Tuesday -- Home vs. Mount Vernon in the first round of the Division I district tournament.

Of note: The Monarchs are 7-5-4 overall and finished 1-4-2 in the OCC-Cardinal.

VOLLEYBALL

*Last Tuesday -- Lost to Westerville North 26-24, 25-21, 27-29, 25-18

*Last Thursday -- Lost to Dublin Scioto 19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-14

Last Saturday -- Played Buckeye Valley

Thursday -- At Olentangy vs. seventh-seeded Thomas Worthington in the first round of the Division I district tournament. The winner will play Saturday at Big Walnut against Olentangy Orange or Lancaster.

Of note: The Monarchs were 7-13 overall before last Saturday and finished 5-9 in the OCC-Cardinal.

*OCC-Cardinal contest