Fairbanks runner Rachael Hoover, left, and coach Mike Van Winkle watch the leaderboard after the Division III state cross-country meet. Hoover placed 55th in the girls’ race.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
—
Jonathan Alder’s Eliza Streit is pictured competing during the D-II state cross-country meet. She helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a 19th-place finish.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
—
Marysville’s Bryn Hothem (699) runs down the stretch of the Division I girls state cross-country meet on Saturday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
—
It was a chilly Saturday for several local runners competing in the state cross- country championship meet.
Athletes for Fairbanks, Jonathan Alder and Marysville participated in the final season meet as 554 total racers were entered — 182 for Division I, 181 for Division II and 191 for Division III.
The 2021 Ohio High School Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships were held within Fortress Obetz. The race began with Division III in the morning, followed by Division II in the noon-hour and Division III at 3 p.m.
There were two runners representing Marysville (Division I), one from Fairbanks (D-111) and six hailing from Jonathan Alder, which competed in Division II.
Representing Fairbanks, Rachael Hoover took 55th place with a time of 19:59.4.
As a team, the Lady Pioneers of Jonathan Alder claimed 19th place with a combined team score of 418.
A total of 20 teams placed.
Jonathan Alder’s placing was contributed to by Eliza Streit (51st, 19:38.4), Reggan Gray (114th, 20:51.3), Kailyn Greiner (134th, 21:18.1), Lauren Wynk (145st, 21:35.5), Emma Kennedy (160th, 22:00.0) and Avery Wynk (164th, 22:08.5).
A pair of Marysville runners represented the Lady Monarchs in the state championship meet.
Bryn Hothem took 80th with a time of 19:35.1 and Bailey Gross placed 89th with a time of 19:40.3.
“The entire program and community are proud of Bailey and Bryn for representing Marysville at the Division I state championships,” MHS head coach Luke Sundermeier said after the meet. “Racing at the state meet is the pinnacle of OHSAA cross-country and both were humbled by the team, school, administration and community support all season.”