Cross country is a momentum-based sport in many ways. Strong meets typically come in bunches, and Chagrin Falls freshman Gabby Byrne is finding that out. After she broke 19 minutes at the Legends Meet to end the regular season, she followed that with a CVC championship, and now has her first district title. She crossed the line Oct. 19 in 18:45.28, the only runner in the field to break 19. She led a breakaway group at the front of four runners, including Kenston’s Brianna McIvor, Hawken’s Brielle Collins and Perry’s Holly Vis. Going head-to-head with runners who have state experience and winning is a confidence boost for Byrne with regionals next week. “All the girls that I was with are all really good runners,” Byrne said. “I knew at the first mile I knew I wanted to extend the lead. I wasn’t feeling the best today as on other meets but I was able to push it out and get the lead where I wanted.” McIvor took second (19:00.62), Collins third (19:04.11) and Vis fourth (19:14.51). A different layout added a different element to the challenge, as well as the high-level competition. “Having the competition really helps with the group,” McIvor said. “It helps me be with all those girls. This year it’s really helped my mindset, whereas last season, my mindset was off. Having that mindset really helps, I just need to really work on my mentality.” Vis added: “In the beginning, we had to go left which was different and I had to shift over from the right. It was a little slanted before but more flat now with more space. It gives me confidence to stay with them in my fourth race back.” Beaumont’s Josephine Holody (10th) and Cecilija Dautovic (26th) and Geneva’s Mackenzie Lyons (21st) also advanced to regionals. Kenston, Perry, Chagrin Falls and NDCL advanced as teams with Crestwood taking the team title with 63 points. The Division I race was controlled from start to finish by Grace Kaelber of Shaker Heights. She took the individual title with an 18:46. Chardon’s Briella Hewitt led the area with a ninth-place finish. The Hilltoppers’ junior was also a fan of the new course layout. After running the original layout at U Wanna Come Back, Hewittt enjoyed the changes to the meet. “It was definitely different going into the woods first,” Hewitt said. “It’s new but still fast and flat. Everyone is in the same situation as well. It’s going to be a mental battle next week, much like this week going into the postseason.” Chardon held on for the final girls team advancement in seventh. Riverside (fifth) also earned team advancements and were led by senior Megan Sullivan, who finished 10th. Mentor’s Nora Kraska (17th) also advanced to Regionals. In the Division III race, Kirtland’s Izzie Copeland and Sylvia Vosicky were in a deep chase pack of the top three after the first mile. Both made their moves in the second mile. Copeland finished sixth with a 19:37.78 and Vosicky was eighth with a 20:15.75. Both said Kirtland has state meet aspirations as a team and think the district showing is a good launching point for them. “I liked the new start as opposed to the short shoot,” Copeland said. “It was a good connector to the woods. It feels good, racing and my times being better than last year. It shows that the work from the summer is really paying off and helping the team.” Vosicky added: “I think this week and last, our team has really come into its own. We’re getting in the right mindset and are ready to advance as far as we can.” Kirtland was fourth in a tight team race for second place behind McDonald. The Hornets had 79 points behind Maplewood with 73 and St. John’s with 77 points. Cardinal also had a pair of runners advance to regionals with Eve Kaminski and Madison Hilger in 10th and 14th respectively. Both also broke 21 for the first time with 20:34.30 and 20:40.52. McDonald’s Naomi Sheesley won the meet with an 18:25.88.