The 10th Annual Centerville Stampede is here and while the size is down a little this year, the event still has races that feature not only some of the best harriers in Ohio but in the country. The event features 11 races beginning with a free elementary run at 9:00 am that then leads to 6 high school races and 4 middle school races. More information on the descriptions of these races can be found under Centerville Stampede on the Centerville Girls XC website - www.centervillegirlsxc.com.
The meet is celebrating ten years that has always put a focus on making a great experience for the athlete, coach, and spectator. For the athletes, the course is flat and goes through several scenery changes throughout. They also receive custom medals (often 50-75 deep) that change with the new logo design each year. For coaches, the meet offers coaches and athletes the ability to see how the meet develops by providing splits as well as athlete places at each split. Lastly, the spectators can see a large portion of the race without moving more than 100 meters.
The races this Saturday shape up like this… the GIRLS GOLD DIVISION race should be the highlight of the day. First, defending Stampede Champion Grosse Pointe South is back but this time joined by rival Birmingham Seaholm from that state up north. These two teams went 1-2 at last year's Michigan State Meet with Seaholm getting the slight edge. The two teams also battled last weekend against at the Spartan Invitational with Seaholm again getting the edge finishing 2nd and Grosse Pointe South 6th. The teams are currently ranked #2 and #7 respectively in Michigan. They will battle against four highly ranked Ohio teams lead by #1 (DII) Akron SVSM, #2 (DI) and host school Centerville, #5 (DI) Springboro, and #14 (DI) Walnut Hills. Individually, the race is stacked with 12 runners who have already broken 19:00 this season! The field is likely to be led by Seaholm's Audrey Belf. The junior ran 17:14 last weekend in winning this Spartan Invitational by 33 seconds. Challenging her will be Ohio (DI) defending state champion, Jacquelyn Crow, who just ran a convincing 18:12 at the Alliance Invitational last weekend. Olivia Connaughton, the young freshman from Walnut Hills, will be challenged like she never has been before in a star studded race at the Stampede. Grosse Pointe South junior Ersula Farrow expects to be a factor and if she is anywhere close to the leaders near the finish, she has 2:06 800 m. speed! Senior, but first year runner, Aundrea Busse of Springboro has proved that she is a quick learner and boasts a PR of 18:36. Others joining under 19:00 are Leah Wallace (Reynoldsburg), Jordan Townsley (Miamisburg), Lainey Studebaker (Centerville), Marissa Dobry (Seaholm), Rachel Dadamino (Seaholm), Danielle Bentzley (Seaholm), Kelsie Swartz (Grosse Pointe South). The field will be missing defending state champion (DII) Mary Kate Vaughn (Oakwood) as she has been hampered by a recent injury and will not be able to defend her Stampede title.
The BOYS GOLD DIVISION title looks to be Elder's to lose. With Centerville taking its top runners to Trinity (KY) it opens the door for Elder who has quite a pack. Their top 5 runners have season bests within 22 seconds of each other. Fairfield and Springboro will likely battle it out for runner-up position. Valley View's dynamic twin brother duo of Kyle and Zach Bussard look to be in contention for the individual title with Adam Gardner, Logan Steiner, and Jonathan Reiter, all of Elder.
The GIRLS BLACK DIVISION has 12 teams. Oakwood (DII #5) is the cream of this crop and that is even with super sophomore, Mary Kate Vaughn, out of the line-up. The battle for second come down to Indian Hill, Mariemont, Waynesville, and Botkins with the edge going to Indian Hill. The individual race is one that can be claimed by several including Elizabeth Ordeman (Oakwood), Erin Kennedy (Oakwood), Chloe Flora (Botkins), and Elena Horton (Indian Hill).
In the BOYS BLACK DIVISION the race will likely be between Oakwood (DI #I0), Batavia, and Botkins. As long as not too many of Oakwood's top guys are taking the ACT, their depth should lead them to victory. With Valley View moving up to the Gold Division, the individual race should come down to Micah Bragg of Dayton Christian, Jeff Mumford and Tommy Lane of Oakwood, and Griffin Stith of Batavia.
If you are interested in attending in 2014 please contact David Dobson at dobsonda@sbcglobal.net.