ALBIA — The Albia boys cross country team placed three runners in the top six and five in the top 15 as the Blue Demons captured the South Central Conference championship on Tuesday.

The Redettes of Centerville took the girls’ team title, while Davis County’s Sarah Lindemulder and Eddyville-Blakesburg’s Zach Baker won individual crowns.

“It’s great to get this one,” said Albia coach Todd Ratliff. “The boys have been stepping up all season.”

Albia’s Devon Gottschalk led the way for the Blue Demons, finishing third overall with a time of 17:29. Kyle McFall placed fifth (17:41), Logan Dorpinghaus was sixth (17:51), Clayton Brady placed 11th (18:25), 15. Justin Smithberg was 15th (18:42) and Patrick Wynn 16th (18:43) to round out the Albia scoring.

Baker’s searing time of 15:47 for E-B outpaced Centerville’s Brent Ewing, who finished in second at 16:10. Davis County’s Nathan Drummond placed fourth with a time of 17:36.

Lindemulder won her second straight SCC crown for the Mustangs, as she scampered across the finish line in a time of 15:44, better than second-place Addie Kepner of Centerville (16:12). Nicole McClain of Albia finished third (16:27).

“It’s nice to say that Sarah actually won rather easily,” said Davis County coach Linda Rowe. “That’s the biggest margin she’s won by in a major race this year.”

The Mustangs had two runners in the top 10, as freshman Emma Griffin placed fifth for Davis County with a time of 16:35.

“I’m very happy with Emma’s finish,” said Rowe. “Nathan and all our boys runners also ran great times. Maybe they’re peaking at the right time.”

Kaitie Graves finished 17th for the Mustangs while Kristin Clawson placed 27th.

The conference-champion Redettes were led by Kepner’s second-place run, while Avery Schmitt placed sixth (16:54), Ashley Sharp was ninth (17:48), Megan Sharp was 13th (18:00), and Breezy Poolman placed 16th (18:29). Elizabeth Bogle was 26th for the Redettes and Megan Mobley placed 29th

Behind McClain, Ashley Ambrose placed 12th for Albia (17:58) while Chantel Manser placed 14th (18:11). Susanna Merrick was 19th, Amy Beal placed 21st, Caleigh Bunnell was 23rd and Leah Dawtwyler placed 25th.

“Nicole ran her best race of the season and is looking strong,” said Ratliff. “I’m really proud of how the girls finished tonight.”

The E-B girls were led by Alissa Eckert’s 10th-place finish in a time of 17:55. 15. Anna Tanner was 15th for the Rockets (18:13) while Kelly Lane placed 32nd.

For the second-place E-B boys, Baker’s winning time was followed by Brent Versteegh, who placed ninth with a time of 17:59. Lucas David placed 14th for the Rockets (18:38), while Stephen Donahue was 21st, Albert Gustaitis was 27th and Brad Versteegh placed 36th.