Triton’s Baylee McIntire was third at the Hoosier North Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WINAMAC – Lindsey Simpson of Knox and Mitchell Rans of Caston were champions at the Hoosier North Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships held Saturday morning in Winamac.

Simpson held off a spirited run by Winamac’s Blake Bailey to win the title at 20:49, Bailey taking runner-up at 20:58.

Triton’s Baylee McIntire and Briana Wilhite were the lone two Trojans in action, McIntire taking third place at 21:30 and Wilhite sixth at 21:38.

Caston won the team title with 38 points, with Winamac (60), Knox (63) and North Judson (64) comprising the girls team standings.

Rans continued to shine as one of the state’s premier runners. His 16:27 was by far the top time in the meet, topping teammate Bryan Hernandez-Rios by a full 28 seconds as the runner-up. Teammate Micah Colvin was fourth at 17:14 to highlight the Comets, which scored 39 team points for the title, outdueling Winamac’s 50. Knox (92), North Judson (92), Triton (110) and Pioneer (117) made up the rest of the order.

For the Trojans, Josiah Page was 12th overall at 18:18, with Russell Reichard next at 18:21. Brandon Kitch (22, 19:19), Agosto Salgado (33, 21:25) and Trent Barnhart (35, 21:40) were the scorers.

Triton will compete next week at the Culver Academy Sectional.