Local runners punch ticket to state

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

TIFFIN — Just like at regionals, Van Wert County will be well represented at the 2024 OHSAA cross country state championships, as the Van Wert Cougar boys plus one girl, Lincolnview boys and girls and Crestview boys will compete at Fortress Obetz on Saturday.

Division II

Van Wert qualified for state with a third place team finish in the Division II regionals at Hedges-Boyer Park on Saturday. Lexington won the team title with 36 points, followed by Liberty-Benton (101) and Van Wert (106). Celina (114) also qualified for state with a fourth place finish. In Division II, the top four teams, along with the top 16 individual placers, all qualify for the upcoming state meet.

Once again, Van Wert senior Owen Scott, who is Youngstown State-bound, set a personal record and school record. His time of 15:23.09 edged the record set just last week at district competition (15:23.28). He finished third overall behind Lexington’s Chance Basilone (15:14.28) and Ottawa-Glandorf’s Ty Rosengarten (15:22.42).

After Scott, Van Wert’s scorers were Andrew Laudick, who finished ninth overall with a time of 16:12.41, Harrison Sloan (32nd, 17:07.91), Quintin Parrish (38th, 17:18.81) and Johan Gemmer (44th, 17:25.38).

“Of course, our goal was to come home with some team hardware but we fell short of that in a very competitive race,” Van Wert head coach Kimberly Laudick said. “Being five points away from regional runners-up hurts, but also gives a little extra motivation heading into state week. Owen and Andrew once again put together two very solid performances and it’s very comforting as a coach knowing we have two guys that consistently score in the top 10.”

“I know a few other guys were a little bummed on how they raced, but we get to race at the state meet as a team, which is a great team achievement,” she continued. “My message to the team was a lot of other schools wish they could be in our shoes and we have a great opportunity to make some noise down at Obetz. We still have business to take care of and the Cougars plan to do just that.”

Van Wert’s Symphony Schuerman also punched her ticket to state as an individual. The freshman finished 15th overall with a time of 19:24.18.

“I am so proud and excited for Symphony,” Laudick said. “She ran a great race in a highly competitive regional race. Her future is very bright and for her as a freshman to get the chance to race at the state meet is very special for her and our girls team.”

Teammate and sophomore Noelle Byrum also competed and finished 53^rd (21:15.87) but did not advance to state competition.

The Division II boys state race will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park in Obetz, followed by the Division II girls race at 12:45 p.m.

Division III

With a runner-up finish in the Division III regionals, the Crestview boys are state-bound. The Knights (152) finished just five points behind team champion Columbus Grove (147) in the final standings.

Lincoln Smith paced the Knights with a 14th-place finish (16:22.81) and was followed by Andrew Heth (26th, 16:33.10), Derek Young (35th, 16:55.80), Kale Vining (43rd, 16:58.95) and Luke Sawmiller (78th, 17:36.51).

“These young athletes continue to impress, showcasing their speed and determination in such crucial competitions,” head coach Randy Grandstaff said. “I couldn’t be prouder of their performances today, especially as they’re reaching their peak as the season winds down.”

Anna Gardner competed as an individual for the Lady Knights and finished her season with a 59th place finish and a time of 20:55.96.

Lincolnview’s boys’ and girls’ teams are both bound for Fortress Obetz and the Division III state meet.

The girls finished qualified for state with a fifth place team finish (217 points). Brynleigh Moody led the Lancers with a ninth place finish (19:13.07), followed by Keira Breese (42nd, 20:40.73), Kassidy Hammons (51st, 20:48.29), Josie Miller (81st, 21:25.30) and Harper Reindel (97th, 21:43.11).  Minster won the team title (98) points and Ashland Crestview was the runner-up (121 points).

“Brynleigh ran one of her best races of the season,” Lincolnview head coach Matt Langdon said. “The girls were also down one of their top five so our pack really had to really run well for us to advance and they did just that. Each girl after Brynleigh did their job and it allowed us to qualify for the state meet.”

“The girls are excited to have another chance to run in Columbus and end their journey on the state course,” he continued. “They have had an incredibly consistent year and the coaching staff is extremely proud of how far they’ve come. The top seven is made up of mostly junionrs and sophomores so we are also looking to gain even more experience at the state level for next season.”

The Lancers finished sixth as a team in the boys’ race (254 points). Evan Johns (31st, 16:43.02) led Lincolnview and was followed by Kreston Tow (53rd, 17:12.93), Max Hammons (73rd, 17:30.64), Kaleb Denman (81st, 17:40.65) and Myles Moody (85th, 17:42.81).

“The boys ran a great team race,” Langdon said. “We have been dealing with an injury to our normal third guy so the pack really stepped up today. It was a big reason whey we advanced. They found each other during the race and were able to finish within seconds of each other.”

“Our third through seventh guy were only 30 seconds apart and that made a huge difference in a very close and competitive race,” he added. “Our regional is very deep with talent and it always comes down to a thin margin. We are blessed to be able to compete at state but more importantly, we get another week to be together at practice.”

In Division III, the top seven teams and the top 28 individual placers all qualified for the state meet.

The Division III boys’ state meet will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fortress Obetz, followed by the girls’ race at 10:45 a.m.