WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville High School boys cross-country team has experience and talent to make a run at a 3A state championship.

The Eagles have been ranked at the top or near the top of the coaches poll all season. Wellsville ended the season on a roll by dominating the Pioneer League and regional races.

WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville High School boys cross-country team has experience and talent to make a run at a 3A state championship.

The Eagles have been ranked at the top or near the top of the coaches poll all season. Wellsville ended the season on a roll by dominating the Pioneer League and regional races.

“If we can put another race together like our last three, I like our chances,” Wellsville coach Tim Savage said about the Eagles’ state title hopes.

Wellsville placed five runners in the top 10 en route to a regional championship and qualified for state as a team for the fifth straight year, which ties the best string in school history. The 1998 through 2002 teams also qualified for state.

The 3A state meet will be Saturday at Lawrence’s Rim Rock Farm. Wellsville has experience running on the course and competing against the other state contenders.

“It will be a tough task with teams like Holcomb, Hutch-Trinity, Norton and Scott Community sitting out there,” Savage said. “Scott Community beat us at the earlier Rim Rock meet and we were barely in front of Holcomb and Norton at Wamego. We have not had a meet with Hutch-Trinity this season, but they have some good runners as well.”

The coach said the experience of running in the big meets such as Rim Rock and others has given the Eagles a chance to compete at a high level.

“By running meets at Wamego, Rim Rock and in Oklahoma, this group has really molded into a solid team,” Savage said. “They run with confidence and kind of feed off of each other. We have a good mixture this year of experienced runners and some younger talent.”

Wellsville’s runners have switched spots throughout the season.

“We have had three different number ones this year, with Cole Meyer at most of our meets, Dillon Ware at Anderson County and Chase Bouse at league, but also our other two seniors — Alex Calderwood and Ethan Myers — have had strong years and were regional medalists as well,” Savage said.

“We hope to place all seven runners below the 19 minute mark on Saturday and we will see where that places us. No matter what, it has been a great year.”

Savage said the program is on solid footing and has a good chance to keep the state streak alive next year.

“I believe with our younger talent we can continue that string next year as well, hopefully with a state title, to help continue pushing us,” Savage said.

The coach said senors Meyer, Calderwood and Myers have been stalwarts throughout their careers.

Franklin County and Ottawa sports can be followed on twitter @ottawasports1