Both runners advanced to the Division III regional meet on Saturday at Pickerington North after strong showings at the district meets last Saturday.

The Millers are the first Eagles to qualify for the regional meet in the program's three-year history.

"We were shooting to get someone in there and we finally did it," coach Doug Boggs said. "It was awesome."

The top four teams and individuals not from a qualifying team who finish in the top 16 advance to the state meet Nov. 7 at Scioto Downs.

"If you go out there with the mindset that you do have a chance and if you go right to the front and fight the whole time, then anyone has a chance," Boggs said. "I really think they have a chance."

Sam Miller advanced to regional after finishing 14th at the district race last Saturday at Watkins Memorial. Miller completed the muddy course in 17 minutes, 48.22 seconds.

The boys team finished 14th (381 points), behind first-place Liberty Union (46).

Miller owns the program record of 17:32.47, which he ran at the Erin L. Nance Invitational at London Country Club on Oct. 3.

"It's nice to be able to qualify for regional with my sister," he said. "We're pretty close and I enjoy practicing with her. It's a lot of fun."

Katie Miller led the girls team, which did not qualify for a team score at the district meet.

She finished 13th in 21:51.56 and broke the program record she previously held.

"Sam and I are real close," she said. "I love him to death. I'm really glad he made it. I've never been to regional before, so the main thing I'm looking at is just setting a better high school record."

Jessie Jones was 36th (24:24.45) and Emily Harper was 40th (25:01.62).

•The football team looks to keep its postseason hopes alive when it plays host to Fairfield Christian Academy on Friday.

The Eagles improved to 8-1 following a convincing 61-14 win against Pymatuning Valley last Saturday. The team's 12 seniors were recognized prior to the game.

Despite the impressive record, coach Clyde Lucas thinks his team might need help to finish in the top eight in the Division VI Region 23 rankings and advance to the postseason.

The Eagles are sixth.

"We have to win," Lucas said. "There are two spots open and four teams trying to get in those spots. We have to have some teams lose and we have to have some more of our opponents win."

Against Pymatuning Valley, Jessie Barns scored on runs of 39, 29 and 5 yards. The Eagles also returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Barns has rushed for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns on 126 carries. Quarterback Christopher Bowman has completed 58 of 96 passes for 958 yards and 12 touchdowns. His twin brother, Brice, has caught 23 passes for 607 yards and 11 touchdowns.

•The volleyball team closed out the season 5-17 overall and 2-10 in the MOCAL.

The Eagles fell to MOCAL foe Tree of Life 25-10, 25-19, 25-11 in a Division IV district tournament match on Oct. 21.

Grove City Christian defeated Northside Christian 25-18, 24-26, 24-26, 25-17, 15-10 on Sept. 8 and Tree of Life 14-25, 25-22, 25-17, 26-28, 15-8 on Sept. 10 for its MOCAL wins.

The Eagles' other wins came against Independence 30-28, 25-10, 25-18 on Sept. 14, Horizon Science Academy 25-8, 25-10, 25-11 on Sept. 22 and Whetstone 25-16, 25-19 on Oct. 3.

"From a wins and losses perspective, we would have liked to have done more," coach Joe Bradford said. "But when we go back and look to where we are now to where we started in June, it's night and day. We're pleased with the direction we're going in. We have a lot of returning players and we see a lot of improvement. We've seemed to turn the corner."

Seniors Kymber Bocook, Aricka Clark and Katy Koenig closed out their prep volleyball careers.

Clark led the team in kills (101) and was second-team all-MOCAL and honorable mention all-district.

Junior setter Megan Keating led the team in assists (180), and junior Natalie Howard had a team-high 30 aces and 75 kills. Both were honorable mention all-MOCAL.

Bradford expects juniors Lindsey Eickel and Caitlyn Kennedy, sophomores Britt Bowen and Mariah Koenig and freshman Becca Reynolds to also contribute next season.

At a glance

Below are the recent results and coming schedules for the Grove City Christian fall teams:

CROSS COUNTRY

• Last Saturday -- Boys: Finished 14th (381 points) at Division III district race at Watkins Memorial. Sam Miller advanced to regional after finishing 14th (17:48.22) at district; Girls: Katie Miller earned a spot at regional after finishing 13th (21:51.56) at district.
• Saturday -- Division III regional at Pickerington North

FOOTBALL

• Last Saturday -- Defeated Pymatuning Valley 61-14
• Friday -- Home vs. Fairfield Christian Academy

Of note: The Eagles are 8-1.

SOCCER

• Oct. 21 -- Def. Delaware Christian 2-0 in a Division III district tournament game. Josh Slone scored both goals and goalie Sam Hatfield made 14 saves.
• Last Saturday -- Lost to Fisher Catholic 2-1 in overtime in a district tournament game. Andrew White scored for the Eagles.

Of note: The Eagles finish the season 11-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the MOCAL.

VOLLEYBALL

• Last Wednesday -- Lost to Tree of Life 25-10, 25-19, 25-11 in a Division IV district tournament match.
• Of note: The Eagles finish the season 5-17 overall and 2-10 in the MOCAL.