Dustin Horter on the right with his brother, Dillan on the left and teammate Ian Stumpf center. Stumpf completed his first varsity run with the Lakota East Team.
Lakota East sophomore, Dustin Horter, participated in and was highlighted in our Saucony Flo Summer Training Blog. Saucony Flo Summer Training Blog. We do not often have the opportunity to blog during the XC and track seasons, but Dustin has agreed to provide us with his thoughts on his races on a weekly basis throughout this season. In this, the second of the series, Dustin comments on his race in the Lakota East Fall Classic (8/29).
Horter won the Lakota East Classic in 15:46.20. His time ranks him Ohio #4 All divisions and #2 in D1at this time. The Lakota East team was second to Loveland who took the team title scoring 57. Lakota East scored 63.
Lakota East Fall Classic - 1st 15:46.20
God blessed the Lakota East Fall Classic participants with a great day. The wind was just right and the temperature was no higher than seventy degrees. The team warmed up a mile and a half, stretched, did drills and strides, and then we got straight to it. As the gun went off, I decided to take the lead early and just go. About a half mile into the race I was in a comfortable lead at a comfortable pace. I maintained, and my first mile was a 4:50 for the second consecutive week in a row, which is probably too fast to start off with. Anyway I just had to accept the fact that I got out fairly quick and roll with it. The crowd gave me motivation at about the mile and three quarters mark to go strong into the two mile mark at 9:55. Right after that was when the race became a little lonely and where I suspect I slowed down the most during the race. My legs were tired but they weren't devastated. I just kept rolling and got down to about the three mile mark for the crowd to cheer me in. I finished the race in first place at a 15:46.2 on my own, cheered on my teammates through the line, and shook many of the competitor's hands as they crossed the line. Overall, it was a nice race and a big confidence booster going into next week's race at Xavier U. Being that I am only 8 seconds away from last year's life time PR of 15:38, I feel like with this upcoming week of practice and preparation for a quality meet, it will get me going and hopefully I can set a new life time PR!
Aside from all the competition, there is no doubt cross country also brings special moments, no matter where you are. This weekend's special moment consisted of my brother Dillon cutting forty seconds off of his life time PR from last week and seeing my hard working teammate Ian cross the line ending his first 5k run. These things above all make cross country great, despite the fierce competition.