URBANA, Ohio — Grace Brown capped her Central Buckeye Conference cross-country career with a championship performance Saturday, leading the Bellefontaine Lady Chieftains to a runner-up finish at the CBC Championships.

Brown crossed the finish line in 19:19.6 to claim the individual title, highlighting an impressive day for Bellefontaine, which finished just six points shy of the team championship. Despite falling narrowly short of the league crown, the Lady Chieftains delivered a strong collective performance, with four of their seven runners recording personal records.

Brown’s victory also earned her Kenton Trail Runner of the Year honors for the second time in her four-year career, adding another milestone to an outstanding high school running career.

Behind their individual champion, the Chieftains showcased their depth throughout the field. Camila Cely Hernandez finished 10th in 22:02, followed by Chloe O’Chocke in 12th at 22:11. Hannah Wilson placed 15th in 22:20, while Sloan Stolly finished 16th in 22:29. All four runners recorded personal-best times.

Leila Hammond and Cameo Greene rounded out Bellefontaine’s seven-runner lineup, finishing 18th and 19th, respectively. Hammond crossed in 22:40, while Greene finished in 22:46, giving the Chieftains seven runners among the top 19 finishers.

The team’s performance earned every Bellefontaine runner All-CBC recognition. Brown received First Team honors, while Cely Hernandez, O’Chocke, Wilson and Stolly earned Second Team recognition. Hammond and Greene received Special Mention honors.

Although the six-point margin left the Chieftains just short of the conference title, coach Stacey Wilson said she was proud of the way her team competed, emphasizing both the disappointment of the narrow defeat and the significance of the team’s individual accomplishments.

“Six points is a tough way to come up short, especially when the girls ran as well as they did. We’re certainly disappointed with the team finish, but I couldn’t be prouder of how this group fought today,” Wilson said. “Having all seven girls earn All-CBC honors is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to their hard work and the way they raced.”

Wilson also praised Brown for the way she finished her conference career.

“Grace’s accomplishments over the past four years have been incredible, and seeing her cap off her CBC career with an individual title and her second Runner of the Year honor is something special,” Wilson said.

While the team championship slipped away by the slimmest of margins, Bellefontaine left the conference meet with an individual champion, seven All-CBC runners and four personal records — a strong showing that underscored the depth and determination of the Lady Chieftains’ program.