(Watch Videos From The Early Season Invite)
("We need to use these early season races as check-points to keep coming together as a team, and despite losing some key players to graduation, our hope is that we can show improvement from last year."
- Lindsay Stull / Hilliard Davidson
The annual OHSAA sponsored Early Invitational kicked Ohio's cross country season off on a very warm Saturday at the state meet course, the National Trail Raceway.
A variety of races, including scored competitions for Division's 1, 2 and 3, as well as open 5k's and 2.25 mile runs filled the day's schedule.
The Early Invite affords athletes the opportunity to test themselves against deep fields and to get a sense of where their fitness is at after a summer of training. Also, for those who aspire to return for the State Championship meet on November 2nd, getting a feel for the venue and having experience on the course in a lower pressure situation is an added bonus.
Here's what went down -
Top Finishers:
D1 Girls: Lauryn Mick / Notre Dame Academy senior: 18:40.30
D1 Boys: Elliott Cook / Dublin Jerome senior: 15:57.60
D2 Girls: Lily Bauer / Mariemont freshman: 19:02.20
D2 Boys: Kevin Agnew / Carroll junior: 16:41.40
D3 Girls: Reilly Cozette / Lakota junior: 20:56.10
D3 Boys: Derek Amicon / Grandview Heights junior: 16:54.10
Open Girls 5K: Gaby Eben / Hilliard Davidson sophomore: 21:15.40
Open Boys 5K: Davis LaGana / West Clermont junior: 18:00.20
Girls 2.25 Mile: Kristin Groppe / Lutheran West senior: 15:35.10
Boys 2.25 Mile: William Zegarski / Little Miami sophomore: 12:44.10
Interview of the Day:
Derek Amicon (shaved 41 seconds off his time from a year ago on route to the D3 victory) -
Top Teams:
D1 Girls: Lakota East - 96 Points
D1 Boys: Solon - 73 Points
D2 Girls: Ontario - 40 Points
D2 Boys: Madeira - 53 Points
D3 Girls: Madeira - 35 Points
D3 Boys: Maplewood - 66 Points
Open Girls 5k: Mason - 25 Points
Open Boys 5k: Hilliard Davidson - 27 Points
Girls 2.25 Mile: Little Miami - 38 Points
Boys 2.25 Mile: Little Miami - 53 Points
Meet's Top Performers:
Lauryn Mick and Elliott Cook didn't let the high temperature and humidity slow them down, as they cruised in with the day's fastest times - 18:40.30 and 15:57.60, respectively.
Quote of the Day:
"I'm just focused on team goals this year - if I do my best, that'll help us do our best."
What's Next?
Check out our meets calendar - the schedule is busy Monday onward --