Chardon's Stephanie Ferrante, as a Junior, is more confident and more explosive. It shows, as she currently has the State's best time in the 100 (11.94), is ranked 2nd in the 400 (56.87) and has the 3rd fastest time in the 200 (12.07). She went out for track as a 7th grader, but didn't like it. She went back out again as a Freshman. Success was slow to come, but her dedication in the off season, including three day a week weight training, has her postioned as one of Ohio's premier lady sprinters. Her goal for the upcoming championship season is to compete in the 100, 200, 400, and the long jump. Her motivation is to get better every single day, with every rep and in everything that she does.
3 Weeks Ago - Interview
It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes. Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level. We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level. Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.
4 Weeks Ago - News
It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes. Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level. We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level. Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.
5 Weeks Ago - News
Bellevue Senior Matt Rowland has been vaulting since the 5th grade. He once struggled with getting inverterted. This year he is pushing the 17' barrier with his sights set not only on his third straight D2 State title and the D2 record of 16-04 set in 1986 by Medina Buckeye's John Coyne, but also on Jake Blankenship's All-Time Ohio mark of 17-02. He has the State's leading vault of 16-4.75 and now is undoubtedly, the best high school vaulter in Ohio.
5 Weeks Ago - Interview
It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes. Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level. We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level. Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.
6 Weeks Ago - Feature
Solon Senior and Oregon signee Therese Haiss is the defending D1 Outdoor State champion in the 800 and the State runner-up in the 1600. She was recently 3rd in the 800 at the Brooks PR Invitational and won both the 1600 and 800 at the OATCCC Indoor Championships. She is going for the double again this year at State and describes herself as a "transformed runner." Her goals this Spring are to just simply run faster than last year. That includes running sub 4:50 in the 1600 and sub 2:08 in the 800!
7 Weeks Ago - Interview
It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes. Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level. We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level. Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.
7 Weeks Ago - News
It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes. Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level. We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level. Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.
8 Weeks Ago - News
Gahanna Lincoln Senior Riak Reese is motivated by strong competition and the thought of not reaching his full potential. He is one of Ohio's standout 100 and 200m runners and has the State's leading 60 and 200m indoor times. He was on the podium in the 200m last Spring, finishing 6th, and has used the summer and the off-season to improve his core strengths. He has lofty goals and when set, each goal is a temporary one that he uses as a stepping stone to the next. He is on a mission and we just may see him atop the podium in a couple of weeks and this June..
3 Months Ago - News
Kettering Fairmont Senior Natalie Uy, the 2012 winner of the Arnold Sports Festival Columbus Rotary Scholarship, is a very versatile athlete, competing in the hurdles, high jump, long jump and the pole vault. She has excellent marks in all of her events and qualified for last years D1 championships in the long jump and the high jump. She placed 7th in the long jump and 13th in the high jump. This indoor season she has concentrated more on the pole vault and has the State's leading jump of 12-0. She is motivated by knowing that she can continue to improve. She has set ambitious, but obtainable goals and we just may see her on the podium this June in more than one event.
3 Months Ago - News
Theodore Foster currently has Ohio’s and the Nation’ leading scholastic indoor 400m time of 47.97. In August he decided to make a move from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ, where he was the NJSIAA 1, 4 & NPA Group State Champion in the 400, running 49.31, to the Andrews Osbourne Academy (AOA) in Willoughby. AOA has academically partnered with the SPIRE Institute, forming Spire Academy. Spire Academy launched last fall as a coed, boarding and day school for grades 9-12 that incorporates a full-time, residential athletic training program for its’ student athletes. OHRunners, had the opportunity to interview Ted and to discuss the reasons for his move, his schooling, training and the coaching he recieves as a Spire Athlete.
3 Months Ago - Interview
Lancaster's Brannon Kidder ran a sub-4 mile. See his race and interview courtesy of Flotrack
4 Months Ago - News
New Albany's Sophomore Karrington Winters is the defending D1 State Champion in the 400m (53.95). As an 8th grader she tripled at the Middle School State Meet, winning the 100m (12.14), the 200m (24.87) and the 400m (58.90), bettering records set by Destinee Gause in the 100 and Kaila Barber in the 200. Gause is the only other girl to win the same triple in 2008. Karrigton's coach thinks that her best event just may be the 800. In 2010, she won the National AAU Junior Olympics Girls, Sub-Youth, 800 Meter Run setting a new national record of 2:11.30. Whichever event or events she decides to run, she is poised as a Sophomore to become one of Ohio's best ever girl's track and field athletes.
4 Months Ago - Interview
Westerville North Senior Jacob Dumford is one of the State's leading middle distance runners. He was 2nd this past Fall in the D1 State XC meet to Tippacanoe's Sam Wharton, the Nike National Champion. As a sophomore he placed 3rd in the State D1 800 and as a Junior he placed 2nd in the D1 800 to Lancaster's Brannon Kidder, arguably one of the best middle distance runners in Ohio history. He ran 5th in the New Balance National's 800 last Spring with a time of 1:51.15. This year he has set high goals for himself and he is poised to take the top spot on the podium in the 800 and possibly the 1600 as well. He's motivated, analytical and is preparing himself to do what he enjoys - to "run fast!"
4 Months Ago - Interview
"Project 2012." "Our team doesn’t have a clear #1 runner." "We were successful this year because we had a large group of runners extremely close in time, willing to push each other to improve every day." In their own words, the perfect description for St. Xavier's Cross Country season. 2012 Division 1 OHSAA Boys Champions scoring just 71 points with their top 5 runners seperated by only 17.83 seconds. 9th at NXN Championships with only 35 seconds seperating their five scorers. They didn't simply run with each other as a team, they ran for each other.
5 Months Ago - Interview
Tippecanoe Senior Sam Wharton ran the "Double." Winning the NXN and placing 6th at the Footlocker Nationals. He has, in his words "had a dream XC season". At Footlocker Nationals, his goal was to "go out and run with the big dogs." Sam did just that, running in the lead group until the last 500 meters of the race with two time winner Edward Cheserek, South Regional Champion and runner up, Sean McGorty and the Midwest Regional Champion and third place finisher, Jake Leingang. He is still excited about his season and hungry for track and the opportunity to do even bigger things.
5 Months Ago - Interview
Versaille's Senior Sam Prakel in qualifying for the Footlocker Nationals placed 6th in the Midwest Region running a PR of 15:04. As a young runner, he watched, admired and dreamed of running in the Footlocker Nationals. He achieved his dream of running in the race that is at the pinnacle of High School cross country. He placed 33rd with a time of 16:03. Not his best in a long season and while he was disappointed with his overall place and time, he learned from his experience, met his expectations for a successful cross country season and is now looking forward to track.
5 Months Ago - Interview
Chardon Junior Nicholas Elswick admittedly didn’t have his best run last Saturday in the Footoolocker Nationals. In his words, “I didn’t give myself a chance. I just ran the race.” Elswick finished 30th in a time of 15:59. He is very pleased with his season and has set big goals for track this Spring. Running in the Footlocker Nationals has motivated him to work harder and to push his limits even more.
5 Months Ago - Interview
Mason Senior Lauren Woods took advantage of the opportunity to run in the NXN Championships. Her overall Senior XC season was more than she hoped for, and she accomplished more than she thought was possible, breaking 18 minutes, getting 4th in the State D1 girls' race and running 65th in the NXN Championships. She is now looking forward to the upcoming track season.
6 Months Ago - Interview
Oakwood's Mary Kate Vaughn, despite being stuck in the mud and falling at the start of the NXN girl's race, plodded her way through the mud and water, working her way up to a 27th place finish in a time of 20:21. As a Freshman, she has continued to improve each and every race and has proven herself to be one of the premier freshman girl's in the nation.
6 Months Ago - News
Tippacanoe's Sam Wharton surprised everyone at the Nike Cross Nationals by winning in a time of 17:06. On the podium in Portland he quipped, “I set a record: the slowest winner ever!” However, on a course that he described as "absolutely ugly," he was the strongest and the smartest, adding to the "legacy" he is establishing as one of the best Cross Country runners in Ohio high school history.
6 Months Ago - Interview
The 2012 State Cross Country Championships saw only one repeat individual Champion. Senior Sam Prakel of Versailles defended his title and bested his 2011 D3 record time by 2.72 seconds, in running 15:16.34. Two other National Trails records were set. Senior Sam Wharton of Tippacanoe established a new D1 Boys and National Trails record running 15:09.95. Lebanon Junior Jacqulyn Crow set a new D1 Girl's and National Trails record, running 17:39.31. The previous record was set in the girl's D2 race by Freshman Mary Kate Vaughn of Oakwood. Vaughn ran 17:41.57. Two teams repeated. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary repeated as the D2 girl’s champion and Liberty Center repeated as the D3 girl’s champion.
7 Months Ago - News
Kent Ford is Westeville North's # 2 runner, just behind their #1 runner, Jacob Dumford. Kent has vastly improved from his Junior year and with his experience has helped to propel the Westerville North team to the #5 spot inthe OATCCC poll. This week is Districts and they are the strong favorite to win their District. Kent is ranked 4th in the State at this time, running a 15:21.06 in last weeks Cardinal Div. OCC Conference Championship, just behind Dumford who is ranked second in the State with a 15:15.27. They are arguable the best one-two runners in the State and just may lead their Westerville North team to the podium in a few weeks. We spoke to Kent about his background, as well as the improvement he has seen from last year to this year and he and his teams expectations for the remainder of the XC season.
7 Months Ago - News
Oakwood's sensational freshman, Mary Kate Vaughn, has a State leading XC time of 17:37.00. She is hard working and confident. She is undefeated thus far this season in D2 and in cross-divisional races. Her goal for the remainder of this XC season is to stay healthy and to lead her team to qualify for the state meet. She wants to continue to run sub-18:00 times and to contend for the State D2 title. As she continues to gain exprience, she may not only contend for the title in Novmember, but she just may be the one to beat.
7 Months Ago - Interview
Tipp City Tippacanoe Senior Sam Wharton has his sights set on the D1 State XC title and the National Trails course record (15:19.34). He would like to leave a legacy - something for people to remember him by after he graduates. Not just times, but how he competed. He is the leading returner in both D1 XC and in the D1 3200, having run a 15:24.98 in the State XC meet, placing second to Reynoldsburg's Tsehaye Hiluf and again placing second to Hiluf with a 9:01.32 in last Spring's State D1 3200. The 5K just may be his best race however, as he was 5th in last Spring's New Balance Nationals, running.14:46.31.
8 Months Ago - Interview
Beavercreek's Senior Sydney Leiher is Ohio's defending D1 1600m Champion. She is undefeated thus far in XC, running a 18:29.77 in winning the Tiger Invitational and besting a very strong field at Mason that featured a Carmel, IN team that ran 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. Scoring 22 points. Her goals this season in XC is to lead her team to a State title and to win an individual State championship. In track she will be focused on seting a new State D1 girl's 1600m record. She loves to race and her thoughts during a race are simple "Just run, and run faster."
8 Months Ago - Interview
Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas' Senior Cory Glines has gone from a young runner trying to win "shiny medals" to one of the best runners in the State. He is the State defending champion in the D3 1,600, with a 4:12.93, and his 15:38.50 PR run in the Claymont Earlybird Invitational is the State's leading XC time so far in this early season. The D3 Division at the State level is as competitive and fast as any of the divisions and spotlights returning Champion and National Trails Raceway record holder Sam Prakel of Versailles. Cory has his sights set on the State run and both the Nike and Footlocker Nationals. He is excited to be able to compete at any level " because that is what this whole sport is all about."
8 Months Ago - Interview
Bridget Franek is from Hiram, Ohio. She graduated from Crestwood High School, in Mantua, Ohio in 2006. Bridget qualified for the Olympic finals of the Women's Steeplechase, which will be contested on Monday, August 6th at 4:05pm EST.
10 Months Ago - News
It is always difficult to predict the State's top teams, so instead of making predictions this early in the season, we are going to give you the top ten teams by division based on athletes best times from 2011. These rankings only include returning athletes (last year's sophomores, juniors and seniors), and do not take into effect any incoming or new runners.
10 Months Ago - News
It is always difficult to predict the State's top teams, so instead of making predictions this early in the season, we are going to give you the top ten teams by division based on athletes best times from 2011. These rankings only include returning athletes (last year's sophomores, juniors and seniors), and do not take into effect any incoming or new runners.
10 Months Ago - News
The 2012 XC season will be here before we know it. Here are the top 10 returning runners from each division based strictly on their best time from the 2011 season.
10 Months Ago - News
The 2012 XC season will be here before we know it. Here are the top 10 returning runners from each division based strictly on their best time from the 2011 season.
10 Months Ago - News
The 2012 XC season will be here before we know it. Here are the top 10 returning runners from each grade based strictly on their best time from the 2011 season.
10 Months Ago - News
The 2012 XC season will be here before we know it. What can we expect this season? We’ve put together some stats from last year, that give us a glimpse at the individuals and teams to watch for this year, but the statistics are just that, indicators of what happened in the past and what may occur. Which runners, which teams, will rise to the top? Will some of our champions repeat? Will there be some new freshman stars? That’s to be determined. What we can predict is that if the 2012 season is like many of our past seasons, it will be as exciting as ever!
Here are the first of our statistics - The top 10 returning runners from each grade based strictly on their best time from the 2011 season.
10 Months Ago - News
We are faced with challenges almost every day of our lives. How we react and overcome these challenges is part of what defines us. Chase Benson, a Junior at Olentangy, was the lead runner on his team in XC last year. He is not a conference champion yet. He is not a District, Regional or State champion yet. But he is an inspiration and, he certainly has overcome the odds!
10 Months Ago - Interview
Lancaster's Brannon Kidder ran a personal best 4:03.12 in placing 4th in the Dream Mile at the Adidas Grand Prix earlier this afternoon. Reynoldsburg's Destinee Gause ran 8th in the Girl's Dream 100 with a time of 11.80.
12 Months Ago - News
The 2012 OHSAA State Track & Field Championships are in the books. Friday was a rough day as the athletes had to face rainy, cold and windy conditions. Saturday, the skies turned blue, the temperature warmed up and the best girl's and boy's track & field athletes in Ohio put on memorable performances, setting numberous State, State Meet and Owen's Stadium records.
12 Months Ago - News
While every event at the state meet is important and fun to watch and each has its little elements and story lines that interest different individuals, here are five events that should be labeled "Do Not Miss." If you are a true fan of Track and Field you won't want to miss these events.
12 Months Ago - News
While every event at the state meet is important and fun to watch and each has its little elements and story lines that interest different individuals, but here are five events that should be labeled "Do Not Miss." If you are a true fan of Track and Field you won't want to miss these events.
12 Months Ago - News
Chillicothe Junior, Megan Osborne, is one of the State's premier D1 sprinters. She has the 2nd fastest times in the State in the 100 (11.96) and the 200 (24.22w). She has new expectations for herself and is confident in her abilities. At the OATCCC Indoor Championships she was 2nd in the the 60 (7.75) and 2nd in the 400 (56.60) and 6th in the 200 (25.99). Her goal as we head into Districts is to get to the podium at State in the 100, 200 and the 400.
12 Months Ago - News
Reynoldsburg Senior Faith Washington is one of the most accomplished runners in Ohio. She has the State's leading time in the 100m hurdles (14.30). She has the State's 2nd fastest time in the 300H (43.48) and is a member of Reynoldsburg's State time leading 4x100 (46.44) and 4x400 (3:52.92) relay teams. She also has been instrumental over the past three years in helping to lead the Reynoldsburg girls team to three State D1 Team titles. She and her Reynoldsburg teammates have been busy this Spring and as they prepare for their upcoming conference championships and Districts, Faith provided the time for us to talk about her past accomplishments and her goals and expectations for this year.
1 Years Ago - News
Columbus Eastmoor's Junior, Aaliyah "Mookie" Barnes is "focused on the now." After sitting out her Freshman year, she came back in her Sophomore year to win the D2 State 100m in 12.19 and the 200m in 24.73. She is a hard, determined, runner who is constantly working to improve. This year she will look to defend her State title in the 100m, but has switched part of her focus from the 200 to the 400! We talked with Mookie about her races last year at State and what we can expect from her this year.
1 Years Ago - News
Reynoldsburg's Destinee Gause and Berea's Donovan Robertson are both on a mission. Since our interviews with them last Spring, both have burst onto the national scene and stand poised to add to their individual accomplishments, as well as lead their respective teams to State championships. We caught up with both of them again to review what they have done since our last interview, to get their perspectives on their accomplishments and to get their mindset on what we can expect this outdoor season.
1 Years Ago - Interview
Alyssa McBride is currently ranked #2 Nationally in the Pole Vault. She is the New Balance Indoor National Champion with a vault of 12-08.75 (3.88m). Her 13-00.00 vault on 2/18 in the Akron Rubber City Open placed her on a short list of only three girls from Ohio who have cleared the 13-00 height. Her vault is the State Indoor record and tied the State Outdoor record shared by Katie Nageotte of Olmstead Falls (D1, 2009) and Mackenzie Wills of Troy Christian (D3, 2008). She vaults simply because she loves eveything about it and her goal is nothing less than winning State and setting a new State record.
1 Years Ago - Interview
The OATCCC State Indoor Championships are this weekend. The OATCCC Championships are run in two divisions: D1 and D2/3. To qualify, the athletes must be in the top 25 on the indoor performance list. Many schools however, and thus many athletes, do not participate in the Indoor Season, but the Indoor Championships are fast becoming a showcase for not only some of the top talent in Ohio, but in the Nation.
1 Years Ago - News
McAuley's Senior Danielle Pfiefer was 2nd in last years State D1 800m. She is Ohio's current Indoor 800m champion. This year she is focused on defending her Indoor title and winning Outdoors. She is running well this indoor season with a 1st in the 800 at the new Spire Facility in Geneva, in a time of 2:12.12 and a first in the 800 in the UK HS Invitational, in a time of 2:11.78. She is ranked 4th Nationally at this time and her record setting 2:08.84 at last year's UK Invitaional is also Ohio's current indoor record. The Ohio State Indoor meet record is 2:14.14. The Outdoor record is 2:07.14. The State Meet and Owens Stadium record is 2:07.35, set by Taneisha Cordell last season. She runs to win and with the Outdoor record in sight, she may finish this year as Ohio's All Time best girl's 800m runner.
1 Years Ago - News
Coy Blair finished 2nd in last years State D1 shot with a throw of 61-11.25. The State record outdoors is 71-0. Indoors this year he recently threw a PR of 67-03.25 (20m). That throw was just .25” off of the Ohio Indoor record. It is also the 2nd best throw in the nation at this time. He's dedicated and confident that he can throw 71-0 and has his sights set on 75-0. OHRunner spoke with him about his background, his workouts and his goals for this year. He improved 11' from his Sophomore to his Junior year and has already thrown 6' further than last year and as he says "it’s just a matter of hitting it."
1 Years Ago - News
Anthony Young is Lakewood St. Edward's, Junior, defending State D1 200m Champion. He has his sights set on defending his 200m title. With basketball out of the picture now, he is confident that the additonal three months of training and the opportunity to run the indoor season will pay off, not ony for himself, but for his St. Ed's team. He's focused, know's how to execute and is all business once he steps onto the track. In the heart of the indoor season, he is already running well. We caught up with Anthony to talk with him about his career thus far and what we can expect from him this year.
1 Years Ago - News
In 2011, OHRunners had the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field athletes. Several of the athletes that we interviewed were underclassman and subsequent to our interview went on to not only win State championships, but Regional and National Championships. Many are ranked Nationally in their respective events. Many improved their PR’s. Some faltered. Following is an update on each of these underclassmen since our interview with them, including links to our interviews. Watch for them this Indoor and Outdoor season!
1 Years Ago - News
In the D1 boys State Cross Country race an individual lost their shoe just before the mile mark. Here is the story of who that shoe belonged to, and what he had to overcome that day.
1 Years Ago - News
Cin. Princeton's Claudia Saunders is the 2011 D1 State Cross Country Champion and the 2010 State 100H Champion. She is one of the most versatile runners in Ohio and as a Senior, she is one of the favorites in both the 100H and 300H, as well as the 1,600 and the 3,200. OHRunners had the opportunity to talk with Claudia about her high school career and her goals for this years indoor and outdoor track seasons. One thing is for sure, she is an agressive, talented runner and when she walks out on the track, her goal is to run the best race that she can to win.
1 Years Ago - News
Jake Blankenship, a Senior at Gahanna Lincoln, is Ohio’s 2011 State D1 Pole Vault Champion and the all-time Ohio outdoor record holder with a vault of 17-0.75” (5.2) at the 2011 New Balance Outdoor Nationals. He is not only the top vaulter in Ohio, but is the nation’s #2 indoor and outdoor ranked returning vaulter. He believes that anything is possible with hard work, dedication and support. His goals this year are ambitious. He wants to capture the National HS Indoor and Outdoor Records. Indoors - 5.48m (17'10"). Outdoors - 5.60m (18'4"). It’s going to just take a lot of dedication, support and hard work. (Photo Coutresy of Photorun.net)
1 Years Ago - Interview
Versailles Junior, Sam Prakel, is this years Division III State Cross Country Champion. His winning time of 15:19.34 was the fastest of the three boys divisions on the new National Trailways course. OHRunners had the privelege of interviewing Sam about his championship run. He provided us a glimpse, though his mind and his eyes, of his experience in preparing for and winning a State title.
1 Years Ago - News
The last few weeks, as the Cross Country season was winding down, I was thinking of what I could write about. Today, as I was watching and photographing the State Cross Country meet, I realized that the meet itself was what I should write about. Not about what the results were and who were the individual winners, the times and the team champions, but just about what I saw, and what I saw is the reason that those of us that are involved with the sport have come to love it.
While most of the State was getting ready for the Ohio State football game against Indiana and for the State High School football playoffs, some 850 State qualifying runners prepared to run six divisional 5K races to determine individual State champions and team State champions. The race was being run for the first time on a new course at the National Trails Raceway in Kirkersville.
2 Years Ago - Meet Summary
Olentangy Orange Junior, Hannah Hartzell, is one of Ohio's Leading D1 Runners! In her Freshman and Sophomore years she struggled through injuries and health problems. Now, as a Junior, she is healthy, undefeated in her D1 races and has become one of the State's leading lady harriers. OHRunners had the opportunity to talk to Hannah about her Freshman and Sophomore seasons and her success this season. She is a very talented, focused and determined runner who says that she "absolutely loves to run and compete" and finds herself smiling most of the time when she is racing because she has so much fun with XC. In a couple of weeks, she may just find herslef smiling atop the D1 Girls podium.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Napoleon's Steve Weaver is the D2 defending state 1,600m champion and the highest returning finisher from last years State CC Championship. He's gained in experience and confidence, more mature and now comfortable running out front. He has a high respect for his comeptitiors in a very competitive D2 boys division. His expectations are high, not only for himself, but for what all of the D2 boys will do at this year's State meet. He see's the race as a challenge with the D2 boys "getting after it" at State and setting high standards on the new National Trails Raceway course.
2 Years Ago - Interview
In 2009, a young girl from Versailles made her presence known in Ohio’s D3 Girl’s Cross Country and Track. Now, in her Senior year, Tammy Berger is intent on defending her two time Cross Country and 3,200m State titles and poised to become one of the most notable female distance runners in Ohio High School history. This year, another Freshman, Brittany Atkinson of Liberty Center, has confidently arrived on the State scene and she just may have the talent and tenacity to challenge Berger for her titles.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Elizabeth Heinbach is one of the State's Leading D2 Cross Country and 3,200m runners. She is also a dedicated and talented swimmer. She has chosen the difficult endurance events in both sports and, when asked why, "To put it simply, (she) just loves competing." OHRunners had the opportunity to interview Elizabeth and to discuss both her high school running and swimming careers, the similarities in training between the two sports, as well as the difficulties of transitioning from Cross Country to Swimming and back to Track.
2 Years Ago - News
Tsehaye Hiluf, a Senior from Reynoldsburg, was born in Ethiopia and came to the United states when he was in 7th grade. He started running in the 8th grade and is the current OATCCC Indoor 3200m champion, setting a new meet record of 9:10.32. He is also the current OHSAA 3200m outdoor champion with a time of 9:17.09. Tsehaye was 15th in last year’s State CC meet with a time of 15:48.4. He is running well in the early CC season in winning the Asics Hot Summer Bash in a time of 15:34.20 and the New Albany Classic in a time of 16:02.00. He has the talent and the experience that makes him one of the strongest contenders to capture this year’s D1 Championship.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Cin. Anderson's Nick Vogele burst onto the Ohio, State CC scene last weekened with a big win at the Finish Timing.Com XC Invitational. Nick's winning time of 15:53.71 bested a strong field that included Lancaster's Brannon Kidder who finished 2nd in 16:29.09. He's only been on the big stage once and that was at last years State meet where he finished a dissapointing 47th, with a time of 16:11.5. As a Senior, he's healthy, ready to run and has shown that he will be a contender who just could possibly win in a wide open D1 compeition.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Cross Country is always difficult to predict, both individually and for team. One thing is for sure about the 2011 Cross Country Season however, 6 new course records will be set at the State meet which will be held at National Trails Raceway in Hebron for the first time. Unlike last year however, where 5 Divisions had returning champions, this year, only one State Champion is returning to defend their title. Tammy Berger of Versailles is back, and she is the favorite to defend her D3 Girl's title. If she does, she will join a select few runners who have won 3 Championships. In all three boys divisions, only 10 out of 30 top ten finshers are returning. There are 19 Seniors, 10 Juniors and 1 Sophomore. In the three girl's divisions, there are 15 returning: 16 Seniors, 7 Juniors and 7 Sophomores. Other than the girl's D3 race, there are no clear favorites. Each race should be very competitive.
2 Years Ago - News
How do Freshman runners fare at the varsity level? How do they transition from the 2-mile, Middle School distance, to the 3.1 mile varsity distance? Obviously, there are some very talented Middle School runners, but statistics indicate that very few step up as Freshman into the varsity spotlight. At last year’s OHSAA Cross Country Championships, in all six boys and girls divisions, a total of 883 runners competed. Of the 883, 98, just 11% of the runners were Freshman. A closer look at the Freshman statistics for each of the divisions is interesting, but what are the reasons that we don’t see more Freshman faring well at the varsity level? There may not be a simple answer, but the statistics do indicate that there is a definite maturation that takes place; physically, mentally and in experience, and that there is even a more distinct difference between the boys and the girls as they transition from the Middle School to the High School level.
2 Years Ago - News
Melker Svärd Jacobsson is one of Swedens’ up and coming “Athletics” stars, having pole vaulted 17-10.75 this past February as a 16 year old! (Photos provided by Victor Sailor of
photorun.net)
OHRunners is provelidged to have the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the nation’s best Track & Field athletes, but rarely have we had the opportunity to interview elite High School age athletes from other countries. Following the IAAF Championships however, we had the opportunity to interview Melker and to discuss his career, as well as some of the differences in the Swedish school system and in the country’s athletic programs. Both are very different than our programs in the US.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Two individual Ohioan's and two relay teams stood atop the podium at the New Balance Nationals last weekend. Maddie Morrow of North Canton Hoover jumped 5'-8 1/2" to claim her High Jump title, Jake Blankenship of Gahanna Lincoln vaulted 17'-0 3/4" to claim the Pole Vault championship and the Westerville North 4 x 1 mile relay team of Ryan Weldon, Jacob Dumford and the Hannaford twins, Brian and Jeff, ran a 17:38.17 to earn their title. The ladies from Withrow won the 800 Meter Sprint Medley Relay comprised of Jade Loveless, Diera Taylor, Jessica Miles and Skyler Willis. Congratulations to our champions!
2 Years Ago - News
While every event at the state meet is important and fun to watch and each has its little elements and story lines that interest different individuals, but here are five events that should be labeled "Do Not Miss." If you are a true fan of Track and Field you won't want to miss these events.
2 Years Ago - News
Lancaster over the years has produced some of the State's most memorable middle-distance and distance runners. Bill Beaty, Clark Haley, John Zishka and Doug Conroy to mention a few. Now, Brannon Kidder, a Junior, can be counted among the Lancaster elite. Last Spring as a sophmore he finished 3rd in the D1 1,600 in a time of 4:15.86. He recently won the State Indoor 800m in a time of 1:54.04 and through Regionals he has posted the States fastest times in the 800 - 1:51.09 and in the 1.600 - 4:12.37. What can we expect from Brannon at State in the 1,600 and the 800? OHRunners inteviewed Brannon about his career, his running background and training methods as he prepares for the upcoming State meet this weekend. He's ready to go and has his sights set on winning both the 1,600 and the 800, as well as going under 1:50 in the 800. Humbly , he "hopes to do as well as he can" in recognizing that "there are many very good mid-distance/distance runners in Ohio this year."
2 Years Ago - News
Last Saturday the Ohio weather finally cooperated and at the Hilliard Districts, three of Ohio's and three of the nations best HS Pole vaulters got to go head to head. Joey Uhle, a Senior from Olentangy Liberty, who holds Ohio's indoor record with a vault of 17'3", was the first High School vaulter in Ohio to go over the 17' mark and now holds the Ohio outdoor record with a 17' vault at Districts, Jake Blankenship, a Junior from Gahanna Lincoln, who just last week set a new Ohio outdoor vault record clearing16'10" and Chris Uhle, Joey's twin brother, who until the last two weeks held the State record of 16'9" that he had set at last years State Championships.
2 Years Ago - News
Donovan Robertson, a Junior at Berea, is the States defending 300m Hurdle Champion. At the OATCCC Ohio State Indoor Championships, he placed 2nd in the 60m Hurdles in a time of 8.04 and 3rd in the 400 with a time of 49.70. Heading into Districts and Regionals, he has the fastest time in the State in the 110's, 13.75, the 2nd fastest time in the 300's, 37.86, the 3rd fastest time in the 100m, 10.71 and the 6th fastest time in the 200m, 21.76. He is a versatile sprinter and has his sights set on not only defening his 300m Hurdle title, but also on capturing the 110m title. As a Junior, he is confident, maturing and has the mindset to meet all of his expectations for this years State championships and to make a strong impact at Nationals.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Maddie Morrow is a Junior at North Canton Hoover. She is a very accomplished high school jumper and for the past two indoor and outdoor seasons, she has been not only one of Ohio’s premier jumpers, but one of the nations. She has a very competitive relationship with her closest rival, Taylor Burke of Medina, finishing very close 2nd’s to her at the 2010 Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the 2011 New Balance Indoor Championships and recently besting Taylor with her PB of 5-11.00 at the 2011 OATCCC Indoor Championships.
2 Years Ago - News
Taylor Burke , a Medina Senior and Maddie Morrow, a North Canton Hoover Junior, have jumped their way into the National spotlight. OHRunners had the opportunity to interview both girls about their backgrounds, their training, their friendship, their rivalry, their competitiveness and their goals for this year.
2 Years Ago - Interview
North Balitmore's Amanda Hotaling is one of Ohio's premier valulters. As a D3 vaulter, she finished just ahead of her rival and friend, Ellie Braidic of Pandora-Gilboa, winning the State D3 Chamionship in her freshman season with a vault of 11-08. As a sophmore, she vaulted 12-03 finsihing 2nd to Braidic. In the recent OATCCC Indoor Championshps she vaulted 11-6, edging Braidic for first. She is one of only three returning girl vaulters in the State that are over 12-00 in all three divisions and her sights are set on the 13-00 mark.
OHRunners interviewed Amanda and asked her some of the same questions that were asked of Ellie Braidic in our recently posted interview. They both have strong gymnastics backgrounds having competed on the same Findlay team for 9 years. They both have strong work ethics and both have their sites set on vaulting 13-00 this year. A friendship and a rivalry that should push themn both beyond the 13-00 mark, and they are only Juniors.
2 Years Ago - Interview
(Photo's by Mark Stonecipher) - Pandora is home to Ellie Braidic, one of Ohio’s best High School girl’s pole vaulters. Ellie is the current D3 girl’s State vault champion with a vault of 12’-03. OH Runners recently spoke with Ellie about her career and the upcoming season.
2 Years Ago - News
Quincy Downing is a senior from Glenville. He is a very versatile, strong, competitive runner and over the past few years he set aside some of his personal goals in helping Glenville to be a State contender.
2 Years Ago - News
Destinee Gause, as a Freshman and a Sophomore at Reynoldsburg High School, has already established herself as one of the premier girls sprinters in Ohio. As a Junior, she is poised to perhaps become the most prolific girls Track and Field athlete in Ohio history.
2 Years Ago - Interview
Antonio Blanks is Ohio's reigning D2 300m Hurdle champion. The Dayton Dunbar Senior has one goal in mind and that is to help lead his team to the D2 State Championship.
2 Years Ago - News
This years Track & Field season in rapidly approaching and OHRunners will be featuring interviews with some of the States top athletes. We have selected athletes from all three divisions, as well as the sprints, hurdles, middle distance, jumps, throws and vaults. The following interview with Ritchifeld Revere's Josh Sabo, is the first in this series of interviews.
2 Years Ago - News
Olentangy Liberty's Joey Uhle has committed to continue his education at the US Air Force Academy.
2 Years Ago - News
"Wills Captures #3", "Brajdic Sets New Boys Course Record", "Peninsula Woodridge Wins its Fifth Straight D2 Team Title", "Berger Repeats as D3 Girl's Champion", "Minster Wins its Third-Straight D3 Title", "Magnificat Girls' Win Third-Straight D1 Championship", Independence Repeats as boys D3 Champions" It would be difficult to choose a headline for yesterdays 2010 State Cross Country Championships. It was a day when a crowd of over 13,000 came to watch five of the six team state champions repeat, an individual win his third state championship and see a 23 year old course record broken.
3 Years Ago - News
Junior Tammy Berger of Versailles is the defending D3 State XC Champion. Leading up to Districts, in this 2010 XC season, the Junior has been beaten only once, running 4th at Fort Loramie. She is also Ohio's D3 State 3,200m Champion with a time of 11:08.21. She has high expectations of herself, is team motivated, and is focused on defending her District, Regional and State titles.
3 Years Ago - News
Are today’s High School Track & Field and Cross Country athletes any faster, bigger or stronger than those in the decades that have preceded them? Are they really any better at their events? Have you ever wondered? I have had this conversation with others on more than one occasion, so I decided to take a closer look and dig back into some statistics.
3 Years Ago - News
Michael Brajdic drives himself hard and takes pride in going beyond expectations. He is Ohio's defending Division 2 State Cross Country Champion and has his sights set on defending his title and going to Nationals.
3 Years Ago - Interview
Michael Brajdic of Bay Village has the State's best reported time so far of 14:54.89. How are the top 10 returning finishers from last seasons State Cross Country Championships doing so far in the early part of the cross country season? Here's the breakdown in the Boys and Girls divisions.
3 Years Ago - News
In Part 2 of TWO OF OHIO'S BEST, OhRunners interiviews MICHELLE THOMAS of Cin. Glen Este.
3 Years Ago - News
Hannah Neczypor (left) and Michelle Thomas (right) have had very similar seasons the last three years with mere seconds separating the two runners. The similarities of these two ladies could make for a very interesting finish come Novermber at Scioto Downs.
3 Years Ago - News
A TRUE CHAMPION Alex Casteneda, Marysville Junior runner looses his struggle with cancer.
3 Years Ago - News
Photo by Tracy Rollins - Ohio started its High School Cross Country championships 82 years ago in 1928. Only an elite group, composed of five individuals, has won three individual titles. The last was Vincent Fries from Div. III Attica Seneca East in 1994-95 and 1997. The last Div. I, three-time individual, champion was 22 years ago when George Nicholas of Dayton Meadowdale set his marks from 1978-80. This year, Zach Wills of Mason has the rare opportunity to join this elite club of runners. He is the two-time defending Div. I State Champion.
3 Years Ago - News
A quick preview of the team in attendance for the ASICS Hot Summer Bas at Hilliard Bradley High School.
3 Years Ago - News
A sneak peak at who's returning to the Cross Country scene this season as well as individual and team rankings.
3 Years Ago - News
OHRunners had a chance to interview Wadsworth's Jake Hiltner and talk about his high school track career and his plans for the future. And what a bright future it could be.
3 Years Ago - Interview
(Photo by Don Rich of PennTrackXC.com at FootLocker Nationals) Colby Alexander, a senior from Strongsville, Ohio is the premier Miler in the State of Ohio. Credentials? Some of the best the State has seen. This year he was the Ohio State Indoor champion at 1600 meters with a national best time of 4:09.53 and he has the fastest 1600 in this years outdoor campaign, leading up to this Saturdays State Championships, with a time of 4:11.99. He has personal bests of:
3 Years Ago - Interview
Speed, strength, spatial awareness, body control, all coupled with tenacity and an aggressive fearlessness. These are the characteristics of a special group of athletes that specialize in one of Track & Fields most exciting events, the Pole Vault. This year in Ohio there is a stellar group of men’s High School Pole Vaulters.
3 Years Ago - News
