Jackets Davis earns best finish at All-Ohio in DC history

CEDERVILLE, Ohio – Defiance's top senior runner Joe Davis (Ontario, Ohio / HS) came through with an outstanding performance to lead the Purple and Gold men's cross country team at the All-Ohio Championships on Friday, October 4.

Davis recorded a time of 26:09.36 that was the fourth-fastest of any Division III runner and 31st overall out of 289 competitors. His finishes in both categories were the best in school history. During last year's campaign, Hayden Krick finished 16th in the Division III group to set the DC record, but it would only last one season as Davis came out with an incredible run Friday.

Junior Josh Hilton (Antwerp, Ohio / HS) was the second Yellow Jacket to cross the finish line for the men's squad, as he clocked in a 28:24.85 for 165th. Next up was Madison Murphy (Worthington, Ohio / Thomas Worthington) running in his second race of the season. The senior finished 190th with a time of 29:10.54.

Wrapping up the top-five scorers for the Purple and Gold harriers were senior Adam Grillot (Houston, Ohio / HS) and freshman Clayton Bruggeman (St. Henry, Ohio / HS). The two runners concluded the race with times of 29:28.60 (200th) and 29:39.56 (205th), respectively.

Akron University finished first overall out of the 41 schools that competed on the day. For Division III, Case Western University came out on top of the 21 competing schools. Defiance concluded the championships 16th in Division III and 30th overall.

The Yellow Jackets will be off next weekend and will return to action Friday, October, 18 when they run at the Wilmington Invitational. The meet is set for 4:30 p.m.