(Early race leaders at OHSAA Division II Northwest District - Columbus Grove)
Perhaps it was an Indian summer or it was our excitement for the beginning of the OHSAA postseason, but there was a glow about the course and the teams as they stepped to the starting lines on Saturday.
The early races of the day had the Division 3 boys split into two districts sending three from each onwards. These races went 'chalk' as one would say if filling out a bracket. The teams of Columbus Grove and Lincolnview both walked away with team titles and with many of their runners sub seventeen they set themselves up nicely for the coming weeks challenges.
Finishing runner-up in each of the races were Marion Local and Bluffton. The four of these teams having made it to regionals as a team the following season. The field advancing was rounded out by New Bremen and Minster, while the Cardinals were able to run to the Midwest Athletic Championship title the week prior a larger pack of high level talent spread the cardinals out and found them in this position.
As far as individuals go the first race of the day say the winner and runner up moving on but leaving their team behind, Trevor Heitkamp won in 16:16 and was seemingly only pushed for the first two and a half miles as he held a decisive eleven second hundred and fifty-meter lead over runner up Joe Parker of Upper Scioto Valley.
Next week is poised to be outstanding as Trevor has been gearing up physically and mentally for the toughest competition in the state and will run into it as he toes the line with the team from Ottawa Hills. In the second race the duo of Landon Armstrong and Erik Nygaard could have been mistaken as one another's shadow as the two stayed together stride for stride finishing at 16:05 and 16:06 respectively. The duo was pushed for most of the race by the senior from Spencerville Lanny Oakman, who has built his own legacy of late looking to add the long list of Bearcat all-Ohioans.
The girls of the Division 3 district were also split but with these races taking four and three teams to the regional meet at Tiffin this coming weekend. The first race offered a steady hand that while intimidating gives the sense that all is right in the world, the Minster girls won the title with a perfect score and went semi flying v formation as 2-4 were separated by a whopping .3 seconds. Yes .3 seconds.
While it may be frustrating to see a team continue their success so routinely remember how much work the girls from a school of 250 work. The winner of the first race was Maggie Hemmelgarn of Minster in her second race of the season going 19:35.9. On the other side of Hemmelgarn's teammates was Amanda Barrett, a fellow MAC competitor who was the first for the runner up Panthers.
Rounding out the teams moving on were New Bremen and Lincolnview, making three schools to qualify both teams to regionals so far on the day. The second of the girl's races had another double, this time Fort Recovery teammate of Heitkamp, Natalie Brunswick captured the district title in 19:11.8 and leading the Indians to a team runner up finish. The team champion was Patrick Henry who five in the top fifteen to solidify the second most impressive finish for the day.
The last spot was a tight battle between the host Bulldogs and the Redskins of St. Henry. When the dust had settled the Redskins were found to be 17 points ahead and secured their ticket to regionals once again.
The boys division 2 race set off in the afternoon and now the heat of the day was fully pressed on the runners, it is odd to train in freezing weather all week to then race in hot weather, anything can happen. What happened is we saw the only sub sixteen race of the day from champion Xander Fackler of Bryan, who crossed the line in 15:59.5. Coming in second was Jack Callan of Wauseon who with his third place teammate Aidan Pena led the Wauseon Indians to third place in the district as a team and onto regionals.
The trophies went home with Champion Ottawa Glandorf and runner up Bath who had their first runners in the hunt for individual glory but saw the race closed down by their packs as the 3-5 runners for both schools all finished in the 17-25 range. The last team to sneak in would be Van Wert who led by a strong trio of Owen Scott, Drew Laudick, and John Kramer were only one point behind third place Wauseon.
The most impressive feat of the day belongs to Ottawa Glandorf in my opinion, as their girls are able to win the district title (first in school history) and solidify the only school to take home two district titles on the day. While they may not have the legacies yet of their counterparts for the day's event they certainly have the talent.
Alexa Fortman won the race for the Titans going 18:24.6 ahead of WBL foe Kaylie Dameron of Celina who was second in 18:50.6. Team runner up honors went to Dameron's Celina Bulldogs. Due to distribution of girls teams there would only be three teams to leave this district for a trip to regionals and it was the Kenton Wildcats who were actually just out of second place by a mere eight points.
Columbus Grove has been said to be one of the flattest course in the state. The beauty of the matter is that the times no longer matter, it is all about the art of racing and the spirit of competition. Next week these lucky teams will race against a notch up of competition and the hills of the Tiffin community park. Best of luck to all who I saw race, keep doing your schools and communities proud.