ASHLAND — The new-look Lexington Minutemen are a work in progress.

But early returns are favorable for the powerhouse cross country program.

Seniors Will Hooper and John Bartone both finished in the top 10 and Lexington took fifth-place as a team in the Division I/II race at Saturday’s Ashland Invitational at steamy Freer Field.

Lex won the Division II state championship last fall, but lost a wealth of talent to graduation. The departed include Latrell Hughes (Oregon), Luke Haring (Mount Vernon Nazarene), Gage Devaney (Mount Vernon Nazarene) and Lincoln Rice.

“We’re trying not to compare ourselves to last year. … We were pretty good,” said Hooper, who finished second in 16 minutes, 24 seconds Saturday. “We have a lot of new people and we love that.

“The seniors love being able to lead them.”

Bartone was seventh overall in 16:41.1. He was followed by Finn Devaney (34th, 17:40.4), Chidalu Ezike (48th, 18:00.7) and Jace Dawson (55th, 18:12.9). Dane Painley (76th, 18:46.5) and Caden Henry (93rd, 19:10.0) rounded out the top seven for Lex.

“Our team, we’ve had a lot of talks with Coach (Denise) Benson about how we don’t have those seniors from last year,” Hooper said. “We have to step up.

“I attacked the course and did the best I could.”

Lexington finished with a score of 144. Bowling Green, which took runner-up honors to Lex at last year’s Division II state meet, won the team title Saturday with a score of 48.

Host Ashland took 10th with a team score of 305. Oliver Watson paced the Arrows, finishing 33rd in 17:40.0.

Ontario placed 12th with a score of 333. The Warriors were led by Liam Hershberger, who was 42nd in 17:55.2.

Shelby (382) finished 13th. Isaac Friebel (65th, 18:32.9) led the way for the Whippets.

Mansfield Senior (540) finished 18th. Gavin Camak (102nd, 19:25.1) led Senior High.

Division I/II Girls

Lexington placed third in the girls Division I/II race.

Lady Lex finished with a score of 101. Sophomore Gabi Twedt was third overall in 19:27.7.

Shelby’s Anna Will was fourth overall in 20:10.0. The Whippets were fifth as a team with a score of 160.

Ashland placed 10th with a score of 255. Alanah Cole led the Arrows, finishing 32nd in 22:12.8.

Ontario was 15th with a score of 365. The Warriors were led by Ava Zehe, who was 73rd in 23:27.4.

Boys Division III/IV

Crestview was the top area finisher in the Division III/IV boys race.

The Cougars placed eighth with a score of 192. Isaac Smith finished 18th overall in 18:15.1.

Mapleton (228) finished 11th. Ridge Meyer led the Mounties, finishing 20th (18:15.8).

Mansfield Christian was 12th with a score of 304. The Flames were led by David DeLorenzo, who was 24th (18:26.5).

Hillsdale and Loudonville didn’t have enough runners to field complete teams. Cooper Baker topped Hillsdale, finishing 32nd (18:56.2). Patton Keener (21:18.7) was 89th for the Redbirds.

Girls Division III/IV

Hillsdale’s Kloe Smith was the top area finisher, placing ninth in 21:40.2.

Mansfield Christian (180) was seventh in the team standings. Leah Robinson (24:55.7) was 41st for the Flames.

Crestview was ninth with a score of 214. Gracie Gallaway (23:58.4) was 26th for the Cougars.

Mapleton and Loudonville did’t have enough runners to figure in the team standings. Kaylee Gault (24:51.0) was 38th for the Mounties. Gracie Jefferies (25:06.6) was 43rd for the Redbirds.