STRATTANVILLE, Pa. (D9Sports) — Led by a course-tying record run by sophomore captain Nathaniel Lerch, the Clarion High School boys’ cross country team rolled to a perfect-score win of 15-50 over Karns City Tuesday afternoon at the Clarion-Limestone Course.

(Photo: Clarion’s Nathaniel Lerch crosses the finish line Tuesday in a course-tying time. Photo by Christie Datko)

Lerch won in a time of 17:38 tying the course-record set by North Clarion’s Nick Schmader in 2010.

The next seven spots in the race vs. Karns City also belonged to the Bobcats with Dan Cunningham, Daniel Ketner, Nick Schill, Noah Schill, Jacob Smith, Frank Weber and Nate Datko crossing the line in order.

Only a second-place finish by Clarion-Limestone’s Andrew Forest broke up the pack in the race vs. the Lions.

While there was no team scoring in the girls’ varsity meet, the race was a showdown of three returning state qualifiers — Rebecca Pennington of Karns City, Katie Craig of Clarion and Hannah Rittenhouse of C-L.

Pennington outpaced the field winning the race in a time of 20:29.

In the junior high races, Clarion dominated with Gavin Hoover of Clarion and Cody Whitling of C-L both setting a course record. Bella Scott of Clarion was the overall winner of the girls’ race and Joyce Kim led a pack of six Bobcats taking places four through nine to cement the win.

“It was a strong outing for sure,” Clarion coach Keith Murtha said.

Clarion returns to action Saturday at the Big Red Invite at West Middlesex.