PDT Sports Writer

LUCASVILLE - It was clean sweep at the SOC Track Meet as the schools off of U.S. 52 captured the titles.

The Wheelersburg Lady Pirates captured the Division II girls crown to make it back-to-back titles. The Lady Pirates separated themselves from the field winning by a margin of 21.5 points over the second-place squad from Minford.

The Wheelersburg boys were not to be outdone by its female counterparts as the boys also captured their second consecutive SOC II crown. The boys also ran away from the rest of their SOC II opponents. The Pirates finished 42.5 points clear of the second-place team from Waverly.

The South Webster Jeeps also repeated as SOC champs winning the Division I title in convincing fashion winning by 35 points over East and Notre Dame, who tied for second. The newcomers to the winning circle were the South Webster Lady Jeeps who won their first SOC I title since 2003. The Lady Jeeps powered their way past every other Division I team, winning with 114 points, 58 ahead of the Lady Titans of Notre Dame.

For the second year straight the Lady Pirates were able to capture the SOC II without winning a single event. Jennifer Larringan finished second in the shot put and seventh in the discus. Taylor Ross gave the Pirates a third place finish in the high jump.

On Wednesday, Brittany Warner gave Wheelersburg two third place finishes. The 4 x 200 relay team also finished third. Sarah Ruggles placed second in the mile run and a fourth place in the 800 meter run. The Lady Pirates used the points to capture the second consecutive SOC II crown.

"We just have a good solid team of girls," said Wheelersburg coach Paul Boll. "We scored 100 points and we didn't win an event. In a lot of events, we scored two people in and those add up. Sarah Ruggles ran all four distance events and pulled in some points for us. Taylor Ross stepped up, Jennifer Larrigan in the field events and Brittany Warner cut five seconds off her time in the 4 x 400 to finish it off."

In the small school division, Kayla Cook gave the South Webster Lady Jeeps three top finishes. One in the mile, the two mile, and the 800 meter run. Cook also won the high-point medalist award with 32.5 points.

"It feels great to be high-point medalist," said Cook. "To be a sophomore and win three individual events is great The main focus was to come in and get the team W and win the SOC. I just go out and try to score as many points as I can."

Megan Stevens also won the high jump on Tuesday to add to the Lady Jeeps' cause. Stevens also captured second place in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. The 4 x 200 relay team also checked in with a second place finish.

"I've got a phenomenal group of girls," said South Webster coach Ryan Willis. "They're probably the hardest working, toughest group I've ever coached. We came into today with injuries and some of the other kids stepped up and done something they never did before."

The Lady Jeeps had two girls over 30 points. Cook had 32.5 and Stevens had 32.

On the boys side, Wheelersburg took top honors in five events Wednesday. Craig Stamper checked in with two top finishes in the 100 and 200 meter dash. The Pirates also won the 4 x 200 relay race and Jacob Ruggles took home top honors in the mile. Nathan Fannin took second in the 400 meter dash and the 3200 meter relay. Tyler Craigmiles placed second in the 100 meter dash and Matt Stegman took home third place in the 110 meter hurdles.

"We came out here last night (Tuesday) hoping to have a solid night," said Wheelersburg coach Gary Johnson. "We had a solid performance last night. We came into tonight feeling confident. We were six points behind Valley, but our strong suits are the running events. It was a total team effort. Everyone contributed."

Johnson mentioned that the Pirates had two people score in many events.

"That is how you win this meet," Johnson added. "You have two people in a lot of events."

In Division I boys, South Webster was led Aarick Wiseman and Nathan Skeens who both took home first place finishes Wednesday.

The 3200 meter relay also won their event on Tuesday. Those coupled with many subsequent finishes were enough to lead to back-to-back championships for the Jeeps.

"The kids ran well tonight," said South Webster coach John Grimm. "We had several personal records and had a little bit of depth in the hurdles and the distance runs and I think that is what helped us."

Curtis Husk from Waverly was the high-point medalist for the boys with 26.5 points.

"We came out trying to go for first and beat Wheelersburg," said Husk. "We had a few things not go our way. We had to get everyone hyped and got myself hyped up. I didn't know if I was going to get high-point medalist and just prayed and went out there and did the best I could."

BRET BEVENS can be reached at (740)-353-3101 ext. 242