BAZETTA - Eric Harris had a vision three seasons ago.
The Lakeview senior flashed back to his freshman season when the Bulldogs took fourth and advanced to regionals.
"My freshman year, we got third or fourth," Harris said. "I told my coach before I graduate, I'll win him a district title."
Article Photos
Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo
Liberty’s Jonathon Richmond, left, Lakeview’s Eric Harris (center)?and Jefferson’s Mathew Kantor took the top three spots in the Division II district meet on Saturday.
Harris and his teammates held true to their word Saturday as they beat Jefferson for the team title, 40-58.
Jefferson captured last year's team title. Prior to that, Crestwood had a stranglehold on the Division II district boys cross country meet.
Crestwood has since moved over to the Goodyear Park District in Akron with CVCA, Woodridge and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Lakeview coach Sean Voorhies knew it was going to take a lot to get the Bulldogs to win their first district title since 1996.
"If you're going to do that, we're going to have to put in the work the next couple of years," Voorhies said. "Crestwood has been a thorn in our side for the longest time. Then, Jefferson has gotten tough the last couple of years.
"This summer, (Harris) told me, 'We're going to do it this year. We're going to win a district title.'"
Liberty's Jonathon Richmond also felt short of his goal last year, losing the individual title to Jefferson's David Chase.
This season, Richmond claimed the title.
"I've been training hard this whole season for this race," Richmond said.
The top four teams and top 16 individuals in the boys and girls races advance to Saturday's Boardman regional.
Southeast (97) and Pymatuning Valley (108) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Meanwhile, Harris and Richmond have been racing against each other most of the season.
"Every time I come to one of these races, I know he'll be there pushing me and I look forward to that," Richmond said.
"It's been good running with him," Harris said. "We've been going back and forth most of the season. We work well when we race together. I would like to see him up there next week with me."
For Lakeview to be up in the top four teams next week is going to be a bear to say the least with CVCA, Woodridge, SV-SM and others coming to Boardman. But, Voorhies said his team has a great start.
Besides Harris, Jefferson's Mathew Kantor, Lakeview's Chris Edie and Jefferson's Brandon Scribben round out the top five.
"Eric and Edie have been running pretty strong all year," Voorhies said. "If they can get out and do what they've been doing all year, we'll be OK on the front end. Our three through five are going to have to step up."
Also advancing to regionals were Champion's Allen Sparks, LaBrae's Caleb Johnson, Champion's Nick Mackey and Girard's Kade Swartz.
Lakeview's Aaron Lamer took eighth and teammates Adam Bogard (13th) and Jake Tomko (18th) finished behind him.
"He's moving in the right direction," Voorhies said of Lamer. "If our three through five can move up, we're going to be close. It's going to be a tough race regardless, being in the regional meet."
And Richmond, who barely missed going to state last year, is not going to be surprised by any weather or course conditions at Boardman this year.
"I'm going to prepare more this year for the mud," he said. "I wasn't prepared for mud at all, got 24th and just missed going to state. This year I'm going to get a little bit more prepared."
DIVISION II GIRLS: Poland's girls dominated the pack by taking four out of the top five spots en route to a 22-70 victory over Southeast. Garfield (100) and Girard (106) also qualified for regionals.
Poland's McKinsie Klim beat out teammate Libby Rogenski for the individual title. Poland's Michelle Klim, Southeast's Katelyn McCullough and Poland's Melissa Klim round out the top five.
Also qualifying for regionals were Struthers' Catlyn Walker and LaBrae's Amanda Richards.
Girard's Domenique Hall took eighth to pace the Indians to a fourth-place finish.
