Standing on the podium at the state cross country championships is the goal for the Bellbrook Golden Eagles girls team. They got in some practice Saturday. Bellbrook won its third straight ...

BELLBROOK — The second week (Sept. 12-18) of the state coaches cross country ratings had to bring broad smiles to Richard and Iris Black.

Bellbrook’s pack running helped the Golden Eagles defend their home turf in the team results. Bellbrook’s 36 points earned them the team trophy by a whopping 33 points over runner-up Little Miami.

The experts projecting the outcome at the Division II state cross-country meet put the Bellbrook High School girls around sixth or seventh. The Golden Eagles’ reaction? You can’t forecast ...