Runners qualify for state’s top cross county race

Minerva will send its defending girls Division II state championship team back to Fortress Obetz for the state’s top cross country race this Saturday. 

Joining the Lady Lions will be individual qualifiers from Carrollton, Sandy Valley and the Minerva boys team. All qualified at the regional meet Oct. 26 at Pickerington North High School. The top six teams and the top 24 individuals in each race advanced to the state meet.

Not only did the Lions qualify as the second-place team, six of the seven runners qualified as individuals by placing in the top 24. 

Sophomore Makenzie Beavers led the team with a fourth-place finish (18:56.10). Senior Katie Ison clocked in fourth (19:18.32) followed by freshman Tateum Richard 11th (19:22.23), senior Hannah Ison 12th (19:22.56); junior Gabby Lupshu 18th (19:30) and senior Kayla Crissman 19th (19:37.16).

Senior Annabelle Crissman rounded out the team placings in 28th place.

“Our girls raced great,” commented Minerva Coach Olivia Scott. “Unfortunately, Athens got us this week by three points. It’s going to be tight again at state, but I believe our experience and depth will be on our side. Beavers went out from the gun and attacked. It’s been impressive to see her improvements this year. I heard Tateum say that she was nervous. I think that may have been the first time I have heard her say that this year. The nerves didn’t affect her much as she was also an individual state qualifier for the first time. Katie ran another solid race and improved from her illness last week. Sister Hannah had a lifetime personal record and had a strong week of practice. Gabby improved from her finish here last season and will be ready to go next week. Kayla now enters the record books for Minerva as one of the only six girls in school history to qualify to state all four years.”

The Minerva boys team qualified by placing third.

Minerva senior Grasyn Rettig also qualified by placing 13th in the Division II boys race with a time of 15:14.17. He is the only boy in Minerva history to qualify individually as a freshman and qualify all four of his high school years.

Qualifying for the Lions team, along with Rettig, are Rowen Hoffee 28th, Ryan Cassidy 39th Owen Yoder 41st, Kaden Knappenberger 57th, Tyson Fetty 68th and Fox Johnson 86th.

“Our boys team ran amazing!” Scott said. “We were ranked fifth coming in and outraced our ranking. Grasyn had a solid race. Rowen ran well and in the first mile was in 40th and moved up to 28th. That was big for us. Ryan ran a lifetime personal record and led Owen along with him too.  Kaden ran his best race of the season. I am excited for these guys and know we can improve on our 18th place finish at state last year”

Sandy Valley

Sandy Valley senior Casey Russell won the Division II girls race with a time of 18:43.25. Teammate Evelyn Pfeffer, a junior, placed 8th to qualify in a time of 19:27.08. Sandy Valley’s girls team competed at the regional meet and placed 10th. 

Carrollton

Carrollton junior Kylie Ujcich placed 22nd to qualify with a new personal record time of 19:14 in Division II.

She will be joined by teammate Ricky Sibila, a senior, who placed 11th in the Division II boys race with a time of 16:08.66.

The Carrollton girls team participated in the regional meet, but did not advance.

Nancy Boley, Carrollton’s first year head coach, was elated with the performance of her runners.

“I am so incredibly proud of Ricky and Kylie,” she said. “They have both put in the work, running in the off-season, pushing themselves all season, and trusting me and the training process. They both had goals for this season, including PR’s and going to the state meet, and they both pushed to meet those goals.  

“There were times when they would get frustrated with their performance, and some minor setbacks like illnesses, but in the end, they persevered, and made it!” 

Boley spoke highly of her senior qualifier.

“Ricky has stepped up and been a great role model this season, and his teammates have really looked to him for leadership all season. Seeing his growth, dedication and hard work, especially during his senior year, has been a privilege and and an honor.

Boley also had words of praise for her junior qualifier.

“Kylie has also been a great role model. She worked hard to get better all season, and her teammates really respect that about her. I’m excited to see what she does next weekend.

It has been a real honor to coach these two athletes and join them on their journey to the state meet. I’m excited to see how Saturday goes!”

Malvern runners Dalton Pennington participated in the Divison III boys race. He placed 80th. The Edison girls team participated in the Divison II race, but did not qualify. The team was led by junior Josie Lesnansky in 32nd place.