D2 INDIVIDUAL BOYS
Eleven of the top 15 boys from last year's OHSAA State Championship run return. Jr. Joe Bistritz of Chagrin Falls likes to run out front and should contend for the top spot. He was 2nd last year in 16:10.67 and followed up in the spring with a 2nd place finish in the 1600 running a 4:18.80. He will be pushed by last year's #3-7 runners who all return. Springfield-Shawnee Sr. Will Holmes leads that group. Holmes was 3rd last year, running 16:15.86. Holmes has experience having run as a Freshman (72nd, 17:20.01) and as a Sophomore (20th, 16:19.31). He was 10th last spring in the 1600 (4:25.98). Last year's 4th place runner was Lexington Sr. Zane Sturts (16:18.94).
Just 2.78 seconds back of Sturts are last years #5-7 runners. All three runners were seprated by just .09 seconds. Sturt's Lexington teammate , Jr. Nick Stricklen, ran 16:21.72. Wyoming Sr. Ben Stites ran 16:22.21 and CVCA Sr. Ryan Adams ran 16:22.62. Adams was impressive last spring doubling with a win in the 1600 (4:18.44) and the 800 (1:52.59). He also has run in the State meet as a Freshman (39th, 16:56.41) and as a Sophomore (23rd, 16:23.10). Stites doubled last spring, finishing 7th in the 1600 (4:22.58) and 3rd in the 3,200 (9:42.46).
The other top 15 returners were seperated by just 1.39 seconds: Jr. Allen Sparks of Champion (16:25.01), Sr. Ty Raybuck of Marlington (16:25.31), Sr. Brandon Avers of Ostego (16:25.73) and Sr. Chris Lemay of Edgewood-Ashtabula (16:26.40). Lemay was 8th in the 3200 (9:50.85) last spring.
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2014 D2 BOYS TOP 10 RETURNERS BY PLACE From 2013 OHSAA STATE MEET |
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Athlete |
Team |
Result |
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1 Joe Bistritz |
11 |
Chagrin Falls |
16:10.67 |
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2 Will Holmes |
12 |
Springfield-Shawnee |
16:56.86 |
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3 Zane Sturts |
12 |
Lexington |
16:18.94 |
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4 Nick Stricklen |
11 |
Lexington |
16:21.72 |
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5 Ben Stites |
12 |
Wyoming |
16:22.21 |
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6 Ryan Adams |
12 |
CVCA |
16:22.62 |
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7 Allen Sparks |
11 |
Champion |
16:25.01 |
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8 Ty Raybuck |
12 |
Marlington |
16:25.31 |
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9 Brandon Avers |
12 |
Ostego |
16:25.73 |
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10 Chris Lemay |
12 |
Edgewood-Ashtabula |
16:26.40 |
D2 BOY'S TEAM
Just as it is difficult to predict Pre-season individuals, it is also difficult to place Pre-Season teams. Based strictly on times run last season, the defending Champions, Defiance, did not make the top ten list. Atop the list of the Top Teams By Individual Times is Van Wert. They were 10th last year. All of their five scorers return from last year, four seniors and one junior. The team is led by Sr. Connor Holiday (32nd, 16:53.89). The #2 runner is Sr. Connor Shaffer (46th, 17:02.75). Sr. Daniel Perry (17:07.05) is the #3 runner. The sole returning underclassman is their #4 runner last year, Jr. Cade Fleming (93rd, 17:34.43). Their #5, 6 and 7 runners also return; Sr. Jordan Butler 104th, (17:40.81), Sr. Nick Keber, (107th, 17:45.49) and Sr.Ryan Rice (143rd, 19:06.36). The 2013 times came at two meets. Holiday and Perry ran their 2013 ranking times at Regionals. Shaeffer, Butler and Fleming ran their times out of State at the Ostego Bulldog Inv. in Ostego, Mi.. The Van Wert team however, even though #1 in the rankings, will have to step up to get on the podium.
Tippacanoe is ranked #5. They were on the podium in the #2 position last year and just may be atop the podium again this year. They lost their lead runner, Jay Schirbaum, to graduation but return all other 6 team members. Jr. Mitch Poynter should be their #1 runner. He was 27th last year in 16:50.41. The #2 and 3 runners are Sr.'s Daniel Framd (43rd, 17:00.28) and Evan Wharton (65th, 17:16.52). Thier 4th and 5th runners are both Jr.'s; Jacob Stillwagon (79th, 17:27.49) and Tim Andrews (87th, 17:31.49). Sr. Jared Rindler also returns (92nd, 17:34.24).
Chagrin Falls is the #5 ranked team and they were #3 last year. They return all seven runners from last year, including the State runner-up and leading returner, Jr. Joe Bistritz (16:10.67) and should contend for the top spot as well. Their #2 runner is Sr. John Ganger (53rd, 17:06.85) So. Jackson Crandall is the #3 runner (66th, 17:17.33). The #4 and 5 runners are Jr. Michel Rose (82nd, 17:29.00) and Sr. Jack Karyo (89th, 17:33.52) Sr's Eric Sampsel (110th, 17:49.27) and Blake Wynveen (111th, 17:51.09) round out the squad.
Springfield-Shawnee placed 5th last year and they are the #6th ranked team. They should be on the podium again this year with all seven of their runners returning, led by last year's 3rd place finisher, Will Holmes (16:15.86). The #2 and 3 runners are seniors Jordan Penrose (23rd, 16:45.99) and Drew Hickman (70th, 17:20.94). So. Joel Rodgers is the #4 runner (99th, 17:37.76) and Sr. Seth Brouhard is the #5 runner (100th, 17:37.76.) The other returners are So. Josh Hayes (116th, 17:54.82) and Jr. Logan Griffith (118th, 17:55.37).
2014 D2 BOYS TOP TEAMS BY INDIVIDUAL TIMES (From 2103)
1. Van Wert
2. Lexington #11
3. Carroll #12
4. SVSM
5. Tippacanoe #2
6. Springfield-Shawnee #5
7. Chagrin Falls #3
8. Granville
9. Bay
10.Oswego
2014 D2 BOYS TOP TEAMS BY INDIVIDUAL TIMES (From 2103)
D2 INDIVIDUAL GIRL
Three girls return from the top ten last year, including Wauseon Sr. Taylor Vernot, the defending champion. Vernot has been on the State scene since her freshman year and is one of the the State's strongest and most consistent distance runners. She won last year in 18:04.40 and followed up her XC win with a 2nd in the State 1600 (4:55.34) and a 3rd, doubling in the 3200 (11:11.44). Her resume is impressive. She has been to the State XC meet every year placing 12th as a freshman (18:49.17) and 4th as a sophomore (18:24.88). As freshman, she was 10th in the 1600 (5:16.76) and as a sophomore she ran 6th in the 1600 (5:07.25).
Jr. Mary Kate Vaughn of Oakwood was 2nd last year in 18:09.70 after winning the title her freshman year with an impressive 17:41.57. As just a sophmore last year, Vaughn has established herself as one of the best female runners in the state. In 2013, she was the State 3200 champion, running 10:45.47 and was 2nd in the 1600 with a 5:00.41. She struggled with an injury in track and was 7th last spring in the 3200 with an 11:27.41. With a healthy Vaughn, Vernot will have her hands full defending her title.
Akron SVSM Jr. Rachel Iacofano is the number three returning girl. She ran 7th last year with an 18:49.90. Iacofano was 2nd as a freshman in 2012 running 18:20. She also was 12th in last spring's 3200 (11:46.06).
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2014 D2 GIRLS TOP 10 RETURNERS BY PLACE From 2013 OHSAA STATE MEET |
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Athlete |
Team |
Result |
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1 Taylor Vernot |
12 |
Wauseon |
18:04.40 |
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2 Mary Kate Vaughn |
11 |
Oakwood |
18:09.70 |
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3 Rachel Iacofano |
11 |
SVSM |
18:49.90 |
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4 Maddie Dunlap |
10 |
Carrolton |
18:57.20 |
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5 Olivia Warther |
11 |
Dover |
18:57.50 |
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6 Kimmy Wolfe |
12 |
Zane Trace |
19:01.70 |
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7 Amanda Cusimano |
10 |
Bay |
19:02.30 |
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8 Emily Cass |
11 |
Athens |
19:14.70 |
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9 Becca Pohlod |
12 |
Field |
19:17.40 |
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10 Elizabeth Ordeman |
10 |
Oakwood |
19:20.00 |
D2 GIRL'S TEAM
Akron SVSM is the defending State Champion and they are ranked #2 in the Top Teams By Individual Times rankings. They are the early favorites to be atop the podium. They lost their #2 runner, Julia Mendiola, who ran 10th last year. They are led by the #3 returner, Jr. Rachel Iacofano (7th, 18:49.90), and all five other starters return. Their #2 runner is Sr. Cynthia Haas (35th, 19:39.00). Their other two scorers from last year were: So. Mia Brady (43rd, 19:48.80) and Sr. Shea O'Brien, (54th, 19:56.90). Their #6 and 7 runners last year were Jr. Regina Neugebauer (74th, 20:20.30) and Sr. Grace Davis (108th, 21:03.90).
The #6 team from last year and the #1 team in the Times rankings is Wauseon. They return all top five girls and have to be considered another favorite to be atop the podium. They lost only their #6 girl from last year, Megan Bell. Wauseon is led by the defending Individual Champion, Sr. Taylor Vernot (18:04.40). Their #2 runner is Jr. Seneca Wyse (53rd, 19:55.60). Their # 3 runner is Sr. Aneesa Volkman (61st, 20:04.20). Their place on the podium will probably be determined by their #4 and 5 runners, a set of sophomore twins. Kylie Archibeque was 65th, running a 20:07.60 and Lindsey Archibeque was 76th, running 20:20.90. Aneesa Volkman's, twin sister, Aleea, returns and was 124th last year (21:37.80). Interestingly, the Archibeque twins and the Volkman twins, along with Vernot had the fastest 2013 times for Wauseon in the Teams By Individual Times rankings.
Taylor Vernot: 18:04.40
Kylie Archibeque: 19:25.24
Lindsey Archibeque: 19:32.66
Aneesa Volkman: 19:32.87
Aleea Volkman: 19:41.47
Number two last year, Bay, is ranked #5, but graduated their #1, 5, 6 and 7 runners. Returning is So. Amanda Cusimano (15th, 19:02.), Jr. Olivia Bechtel (36th, 19:44.60) and Jr. Abby Christel (41st, 19:47.60).
Granville was 10th last year, but just may surprise everyone. They are ranked 3rd in the Team Times rankings and return all seven girls from last year. Their #1, 2 and 3 runners last year were seperated by just 3.9 seconds. Sr. Claire Lamb was 44th in 19:49.00. Jr. Micaela DeGenero was 45th in 19:52.10 and Sr. Alyssa Atkinson was 48th in 19:52.90. Their #4 runner was Sr. Cassidy Carey (79th, 20:21.60) and their #5 runner was Jr. Torri Flowers (105th, 21:00.00). Granville's #6 and 7 runners were: So. Destiny Braden (112th, 21:16.20) and Sr. Jessica Sadaghiani (121st, 21:30.40).
2014 D2 GIRLS TOP TEAMS BY INDIVIDUAL TIMES (From 2103)
1. Wauseon #6
2. SVSM #1
3. Granville #10
4. Athens #7
5. Bay #2
6. Eaton
7. Lexington #4
8. Tippacanoe #5
9. Oakwood #8
10. Liberty-Benton
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2014 D2 GIRLS TOP TEAMS BY INDIVIDUAL TIMES (FROM 2103) |
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