West Chester, OH (October 20, 2018)
The Lakota West Cross Country teams returned to a blustery Voice of America Park on Saturday morning in hopes of continuing their 2018 season. For the second straight year, the Firebird Boys team finished 4th place and earned a spot in next week’s OHSAA Regional Championships in Troy, Ohio. Unfortunately, the girls team finished 9th and finished their season in a tough race that included three OATCCC state ranked teams (Mason, Turpin and Ursuline Academy).
On a day when times were noticeably slower than the week before due to strong winds, Senior Alex Kelker led the way finishing 12th place dropping five seconds (16:21) from the week before at the same course. Sophomore Coleman Cronk (14th, 16:43) along with Kelker also qualified for the OHSAA Regionals as individual qualifiers (top 16 for DI boys SW district). It was the second consecutive year for the pair to qualify individually. Sophomore Zach Beneteau (24th, 17.01), Junior John Doyle (26th, 17:08) and Junior Tyler Kovac (31st, 17:17) rounded out the scoring for the team’s 4th place finish and final team qualifying spot (top 4 advance) for next week’s Regional. Sophomore Ethan Vaught (37th, 17:27) worked his way up to the team’s 6th runner position while Sophomore Carter Rust (18:17) fought his way to a 55th finish after battling illness during the week. It’s the 9th time in the school’s history the boys team advances to the OHSAA Regional Championships. Number one OATCCC state ranked Mason won the district “A” race while placing all seven of their runners in the top 16.
The girls team had a stellar performance on the VOA home course led by several graduating seniors, but it wasn’t enough to move out of a tough Southwest district. Senior Hannah Riesenberg (2017 regional individual qualifier) led the team with an identical time (22nd, 20:21) to the week before despite the worsening wind conditions and finished two places shy of an individual qualifier (top 20 for DI girls SW district). Senior Lexi Iles, who fought injury early in the season and battled illness at the end of the season, finished with a season best time of 20:41 (31st). Iles finishes her career at Lakota West as a three time All-GMC winner and two time OHSAA Regional Qualifier. Rounding out the scoring for the Firebirds were Senior Audrey Rust (49th, 21.27), Sophomore Sofia Rosales (60th, 21:48) and Senior Olivia Risner (61st, 21:54). Freshman Katelyn Benoit (62nd, 21:54) and Junior Anna Huston (71st, 22:45) rounded out the 6th and 7th positions. Turpin (#8 state ranked) narrowly won the district (A) meet over Mason (#4 state ranked) 38-39. It’s the first time since 2003, Lakota West will not have representation at the Girls OHSAA Regional Meet.
Link to Full Boys District Results
Link to Full Girls District Results
The Lakota West boys will make the hour drive north to Troy on Saturday for the Ohio SW Regional Championship. The division I boys run at 12:30pm. The cost of admission is $7. The top 5 teams and top 20 individuals from the meet will advance to the OHSAA Cross Country State Championships located at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio on Saturday, November 3rd.
Link to Regional Meet Info
