Despite a disappointing finish at the Division I state meet, the New Albany boys cross country team reached new heights this season. The Eagles qualified for state for the first time since 1979, capping a season loaded with highlights.

New Albany tied for 15th with Cincinnati LaSalle with 348 points last Saturday at Scioto Downs.

Junior Blake Taneff, who battled cramps in the race, led the Eagles by finishing 65th in 16 minutes, 58.98 seconds.

"We've had such a great season, but I'm not really sure what happened (last Saturday)," Taneff said. "Things really fell apart for us. We didn't do that great. But on the upside, we got further than we have in 30 years. Long-term, we're hopeful, but right now we're not very happy at all."

Sophomore Sebastian Matt finished 93rd (17:18.58), followed by Alex Stanislav (17:44.13), Austin Bach (17:44.47), Tom Newton (17:54.75), Drew Rose (18:14.48) and Willie Matt (18:29.65).

"It was definitely a good experience, but I don't think we're going to be looking back on this thinking it was a good race," Sebastian Matt said.

Cleveland St. Ignatius cruised to the title with 82 points.

"It was a phenomenal season," coach Chad Olinger said. "These kids have taken the program to a new level. This was a good experience for them because now they know what the state meet is like."

The Eagles kicked off the postseason by winning the OCC-Capital meet on Oct. 17 at Watkins Memorial with 38 points. Hilliard Bradley was runner-up (66).

Taneff and Sebastian Matt were first and second, respectively. Taneff finished in 16:21.36 and Sebastian Matt finished in 16:51.12.

New Albany then won the Division I district 3 race on Oct. 24 at Watkins, edging Reynoldsburg 67-69.

Taneff won the race in 16:40.10 and Sebastian Matt was sixth (17:23.82).

New Albany then qualified for the state meet by finishing third at the region 3 meet on Oct. 31 at Pickerington North.

The Eagles scored 139 points, finishing behind North (75) and Reynoldsburg (118) and ahead of Dublin Coffman (147).

Taneff finished fifth (17:23.38).

With no seniors in the top 12, the Eagles are hoping to make another run at a state title next season.

The seven state qualifiers are expected back, with juniors Parker Jones, Kyle Manion, Nate Peck and Andrew Ziminski, as well as sophomore Kraig Manion looking to contribute.

•It was also a successful season for the girls team, led by standout freshman Mirra Galbreath.

She shattered the school record by finishing in 19:25 at the Midwest Meet of Champions at Hilliard Darby on Oct. 3.

The Eagles finished fifth (113) at the OCC-Capital meet on Oct. 17, behind first-place Watkins (48), Galbreath led the way and finished ninth in 20:17.76. Senior Maria Troutman was 11th (20:23.83), followed by senior Annie Bowe (26th, 21:41.82).

New Albany finished fifth (125) at the district 3 race at Watkins on Oct. 24, one spot out of a regional qualifying spot. Canal Winchester won (59).

Galbreath (6th, 20:19.10) and Troutman (15th, 21:05.88) led the Eagles and advanced to the regional meet.

At the regional meet on Oct. 31, Galbreath was 40th (21:32.94) and Troutman took 54th (21:57.94).

Coach Mary Grefka will have big shoes to fill with the loss of seniors Bowe, Troutman, Molly Hamilton, Olivia Horvath, Haley Kostas and Madison Moon.

"I was pleased with the senior leadership on the team," Grefka said. "It was tough this year. It's the first time a lot of these girls have had to run where the weather hasn't been nice."

Galbreath should again be the top threat next fall, with junior Shelby Lackey, sophomores Elizabeth Dengler and Sally Mooney, and freshmen Betsy Hamilton and Juli Sasaki contributing.

"Overall, I couldn't be happier with the effort that the girls put in all season," Grefka said.