Both runners were timed in 14:56.0 over the 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) course. Prakel was fifth in 15:04. The event drew 237 runners from 15 states.
Wharton is the Ohio Division I individual state champion and Prakel is the two-time D-III winner. The top 10 finishers in both the boys and girls divisions qualified for the nationals
In the girls field of 283 runners , Oakwood freshman Mary Kate Vaughn was 15th (18:03) and Lebanon junior Jacquelyn Crow was 16th (18:06).
Crow was the D-I state champion and Vaughn won D-II.
Wharton will be running in the Nike Nationals on Saturday at Portland. He qualified by finishing second in a nine-state regional in Terre Haute, Ind., earlier this month.
Can't beat that: The Springboro hockey team had something extra special to celebrate over the Thanksgiving holiday: the Bowling Green Bobcat tournament championship.
The Panthers defeated the Villanova Wildcats from Windsor, Ont., 4-3 in a shootout to secure the title. Senior defenseman Travis Studzinski had two goals, including the game-winner. Junior defenseman Nate Tragesser also scored on the power play. Sophomore goaltender Michael Weber blanked the Wildcats in the extra session.
The Panthers also defeated the Amherst Steele Comets 6-3, Toledo Maumee 8-3 and Bowling Green 5-4 in another shootout.
Honored five: Beavercreek will add five to its athletic hall of fame, including longtime wrestling coach Stamatis Bulugaris. He was the Beavers' head coach from 1987-91 and assistant from 1992-2008.
Joining Bulugaris are multiple sport standouts Emil Williams (2001 graduate), Shannon Gardner (2000), Scott DeMange (1995) and Jim Turner (1955).
They will be honored at halftime of the Jan. 18 boys basketball game against visiting Northmont.
College connection: A couple of Northmont grads are playing key early roles for their basketball programs.
Krista Knapke, a 5-foot-10 freshman at St. Mary’s of Notre Dame (Ind.), had 16 points in her debut, a 75-73 defeat of Illinois College. That led to her being named to the all-tourney team in the SMC Thanksgiving Classic over the weekend.
Another freshman, Devon Carter, hit a late 3 and knocked down the winning free throws as Shawnee State edged Cumberland 64-62.
On deck: The girls basketball season started last Friday. The boys begin their season this Friday. The wrestling season begins on Saturday, Dec. 1.
This weekend wraps up the football season at Canton and Massillon. Title games will return to Stark County next season, but shift to Columbus in 2014.
Reporting games: Contact Cox Media Group Ohio with information as soon as possible after games. To report scores call (937) 225-2250; (800) 562-7737 or send to sports@coxohio.com. To report weekly stats, send by e-mail only by noon on Wednesdays.
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