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Prep CC Preview: Area runners have eyes set on state meet

Area runners have eyes set on state meet

The courses are mowed and lines.

Cross country season, 2018, is officially upon us.

After months of training and logging miles, area runners can step up to the line this week and actually race.

While the season is a grind, the goals lie ahead in October and getting there is a process. On Oct. 6, the OVAC Cal Pokas Championship will be staged at Cambridge High School, which is a change from years past.

The Ohio Valley Cross Country League championship will be held on Oct. 13 at Buckeye Local and that sets the stage for the postseason. The district will once again be held at Cambridge, while Pickerington North is the regional venue and the ultimate goal is a trip to Hebron for the National Trail Raceway on Nov. 4.

Here’s a capsule look at the schools that returned information:

BARNESVILLE

The dean of area cross country coaches — Mark Brown — begins his 25th season at the helm of the Shamrocks with teams capable of faring well if they’re able to remain healthy.

“Last year, we were in the middle of the team standings, and we should be stronger this year,” Brown said of his girls team. “We only have one returning letterman who was in our top six on the boys’ teams.”

The Shamrocks top returnee is junior Riley Helmick, who was all-OVAC last season. Seniors Taylor Clemons, Sydney Carpenter, Harlie Stewart and Annie Carpenter are all expected to challenge for a top seven position. Junior Kiera Bumgardner, who transferred from Bellaire after moving, has been impressive and should crack the top five.

Brown also pointed out two freshmen — Emma Helmick and Kendle Lucas — to watch.

The balance of the roster is comprised of seniors Haylee Jackson, Addy Wildes, juniors Dani Meyers, Kyla Morris, sophomores Phaedra Jackson, Abby Moore, Alena Sarver, Shelby Weldy, Jessie West, Emma Wharton, freshmen Jordyn Strauss and Kaylee Wehr.

Barnesville’s girls lost Abby Starr, Megan Riley and Candace Schneider to graduation.

The Barnesville boys are searching for a way to replace all-OVAC performers Sam Wehr and Cole Meyers as well as John Crum, Justin Lucas and Lucas Rogers, who is now competing at Bethany College.

Freshman Tyler Jenkins is expected to be the Shamrocks’ leader, according to Brown. Senior Aaron Marovich returns as the team’s leader and veteran.

Brown also spoke highly of the work being done by sophomore Matthew Hetherington and senior Kyle Keiser. Freshman Jacob Webb is out for the sport for the first time. The balance of the Rocks roster includes senior Draven Persons and freshman Jett Stephens.

Assisting Brown is Joe Bell.

BELLAIRE

Chris Arno begins his 23rd season as the Big Reds’ cross country coach and tradition simply doesn’t graduate.

The Big Reds’ girls enter the season riding the wave of four consecutive OVAC Class 3A titles and five straight Buckeye 8 crowns. And they lost just one runner from last season to graduation in Tiffany Hoffman.

Leading the way will be a pair of veterans in senior Sydney Purtiman and junior Katrina Davis. The latter was the OVAC runnerup in her division last season.

Three other juniors — Tayah Frazier, Ashley Speece and Abbie Gianangeli — are all two-year letter winners in the fold.

The other senior on the squad is Kaelee Poore, while sophomore Kaleigh Leigh and freshmen Caitlin Silber and Jazlyn Bowers round out the roster.

“We’re very proud of the tradition we’ve established,” Arno said. “However, those banners are in the past and we will have people gunning to knock us off. It’s time for these juniors to get out of their comfort zones and push themselves to the levels they thought they could achieve. We will need Katrina and Syd to get out and compete week in and week out with the top runners in races. If our (OVAC and Buckeye 8) streaks are to continue, it will be a result of these girls staying focused and moving up through races.”

The boys’ squad has been almost as consistently hoisting banners as the girls. It’s claimed three of the last four OVAC titles and added the OVCCL championship last fall.

However, a large senior class has vacated. Included is defending OVAC Class 3A champion, Clay Moore. Others departed are Zach Lowe, Robbie Silber, Andrew McAninch, Jacob Shepherd and Jonathan Shipe.

“When six people graduate from your program, it’s usually hard to recover, especially when four of the six were top runners on your team and contributed to your program’s success over the last four years,” Arno said. “But, the great thing is that we have some underclassmen returning who competed week in and week out with them. It’s these kids’ turn to drive our ship and keep it on course.”

Three seniors, all of whom are seeking their fourth letter, are set to be among the leaders of the team. They are Robby Hicks, Isaiah Wilhelm and Hunter Houston. Senior Clayton Roskovich is also in the mix.

With nary a junior on the team, a quartet of sophomores will be leaned upon heavily. They include returning lettermen Brennan Craig and Jacob Defibaugh. Ryan Hicks and Aric Coffman are also in the mix.

Two freshmen in the program are Nico Piergallini and Collin Uchbar.

“All of these kids are capable and should challenge each other weekly to make our team competitive,” Arno said. “Gaining confidence as individuals will ultimately be the key to our success.”

Arno is being assisted by his wife, Ann; Tyler Stewart and Trenton Gibson.

BRIDGEPORT

The still relatively young Bulldog cross country program is making history.

Second-year head coach Jenn Fillipovich has enough boys out for the team to compete as a full squad. No fewer than seven competitors dot the roster.

“It’s an exciting year for us,” Fillipovich said. “The kids have been working hard daily, putting in miles, hills and training. The team has a good relationship with each other and are a family and not just (teammates). The support they give each other when putting in the workouts is like no other.”

Included in the mix for the Bulldogs two runners with experience in the sport. Junior Nick Nolan and freshman Sean White have been out for the sport in the past. The balance of the roster, however, is all newcomers.

It consists of senior Jarret Deaton, junior Timmy Stanton, junior Jera Massey, freshmen John Tulley and Gabe Donahue.

The Bulldogs’ girls squad has just three competitors. Senior Lauren White is a returning veteran, while sophomore Harmony Hill is out for the team for the first time. Freshman Cheyenne Fillipovich, who doubles as a volleyball player and is the daughter of the head coach, competed in junior high.

“We have grown since last year as a team and I think, as time goes on and those around see what each of the athletes do, the team will continue to grow,” Coach Fillipovich said.

BUCKEYE LOCAL

Numbers are up and Panthers head coach Diane McCracken is hoping that leads to more success.

“The team is bigger in numbers and the kids have really worked hard,” McCracken said. “We’re looking forward to working with a very personable, hard-working group of runners.”

The Panthers’ boys team is comprised of senior Fred Hertler, juniors Brody Cermak, Conrad Schuetz and Jacob Pielech. The sophomores are Nathan Jerrell and Brett Dimmick round out the roster.

The girls squad consists of seniors Emily Burrier, Sarah Lambright, Sky Barker, junior Kya DeMeter, sophomore Sierra Sterling and freshman Hester Lambright.

McCracken is assisted by her husband, Wayne.

HARRISON CENTRAL

Head coach Doug Drapp begins another season at the Huskies’ helm with an impressive collection of boys and girls competitors.

The Huskies’ girls boast one of the top returning runners from 2017 in Division II state qualifier Jasmine Arnold. She was impressive throughout last season.

She’ll be joined by seniors Maria Lewis, Cali Fullen, junior Rachel Myers, sophomores McKenzi Howell, Katie Byers, Rachel White and freshman Destiny Arnold.

A talented and experienced boys’ group features Sam McClelland, junior Eric Leach, senior Keishi Arnold, junior Adam Ripley, sophomore Logan Laney, junior Jory Marvins, junior Jacob Cowans, freshman Justin Sampson, freshman Colton Howell, senior Eric Williams and junior Andy Drapp.

“What I look for this season is simple,” Drapp said. “As long as the kids stay healthy, they’ll do great.”

LINSLY

Nate Cumberworth begins the season with the Linsly boys with plenty of runners to field a complete boys’ team. However, there’s one glaring absence.

The graduation of Sam Fuller who was Linsly’s “lead runner in every meet” will be felt, but Cumberworth believes several are in line to fill the void.

Junior Gabe Hicks is expected to be the Cadets’ leader after spending last season behind Fuller. Cumberworth is also high on freshmen Xander Plute and Nick Parshall.

The balance of the roster, which doesn’t include a senior, is juniors Tyler Patt, Kyle Brown and Ernie Qian and sophomore Shane McCready.

“We graduated four senior, so we’re going to have growing pains for sure,” Cumberworth said. “We don’t have the veteran leadership to lift guys up, but our juniors are doing a great job of filling the needs.”

MARTINS FERRY

The Purple Riders have enjoyed plenty of success over the last several seasons. Head coach Chrissy Lewis returns and believes that if her teams can stay healthy and grow up quickly continued success could be on the horizon.

“We lost several talented boys to graduation, but gained some youth and I think the future looks bright for this team as we start a strong, rebuilding year,” Lewis said. “Our numbers are more limited on the girls’ side, but we have five quality girls.”

The Riders must replace Marcus Clark, who was one of the top runners in the area last fall and now competes at Otterbein. Other graduation losses were Ozy Gil and Cameron Tickerhoof.

Justin Geary — a returning veteran — is expected to take over the top spot for the Riders, but Lewis indicated “several young guys are biting at his heals.”

Sophomore Elijah Smith, freshman Trent Lewis and sophomore Michael Lyle are ticketed to be in the top five.

The remainder of the varsity seven has been a back-and-forth battle. Vying to be at the line as a varsity competitor are sophomore Wyatt Wodarczyk, freshman Francis Toohey and sophomore C.J. Anderson. Lewis also didn’t rule out senior Ethan Beale, freshman Mitchel Tickerhoof, junior Mike Buksa and sophomore Mason Walton.

The balance of the team includes senior James Kuhn, junior Kyle Fogle, freshman Neil Gilbert, freshman Jackson Romshak, freshman Kyler Oliver, freshman Waylan Mlynek, freshman Alex Cunningham and freshman Mikey Keller.

“This team has great possibilities if the drive to be great is there and they work together as a unit,” Lewis said.

On the girls’ side, seniors Olivia Walton and Natalie Forsythe are battling for the top spot. Junior Chloe Hill and freshman Hannah Hupp have both looked solid in practice and are expected to be the next two Riders to cross.

Junior Hope Lewis is battling her way back from a knee injury and will be the team’s fifth runner if and when she returns.

“If we can get Hope healthy, we should be a competitive team in the area,” Lewis said. “Our goal for both teams is to always place at the OVAC and avance to the regional. oth are lofty goals, but with good fortune, they’re attainable.”

RIVER

Another program that’s still relatively new in the grand scheme of things is also continuing to make positive strides under head coach Amy Shreve.

“I am very excited about the season,” Shreve said. “I am blessed with strong, veteran runners on both the boys and girls teams.”

The Pilots’ girls lost nary a runner to graduation and feature one of the top returning competitors in the area in Livi Beard, who was a regional qualifier. She’ll be joined at the line by senior Destiny Merrill, juniors Mekayla Dye, Alli Long, Jenna Tucker, Julianna Taylor, sophomores Sofie Meyers, Adrianna Karpacs-Brown, freshmen Kylie Piatt and Camryn Caldwell.

The boys won’t field a full squad as just three competitors will line up. Cooper Brown and Britton DeGarmo will be joined by Justin Fisher.

“Last year proved to be a turning point for the program with not only the success Livi had, but also the success and understanding of what it takes to be a competitive team as a whole,” Shreve said. “Goals were set early and worked toward this summer. As we started, officially, it is obvious that these kids are ready and excited for the season.”

ST. CLAIRSVILLE

Tony Ciroli begins his 20th season with what seems like an entirely new cast on the girls side and a boys team that is a solid mixture of veterans and rookies.

“The girls team is young and my boys team has a lot of seniors and freshmen,” Ciroli said. “I hope the seniors instill the amount of hard work it takes to be good in our sport to the freshmen. The girls have just one senior (Caroline Smith) and I know she will guide and instruct the large number of freshmen girls on the team.”

Numbers aren’t an issue for the Red Devils in terms of either gender.

The sophomore class of females includes Victoria Trouten, Kira Wakulchik, Taya Rocchi, Ellie Thomas, Jeanne Nguyen and Maggie Marody. The freshmen class includes Shay Baker, Paige Koshenko, Olivia Moyer, Allyson Evonek, Kylie McKeegan, Lexee David and Helana Crain.

Leading the list of returnees for the boys is senior standout Zach Orzolek, who had an impressive campaign last fall, advancing to the regional meet. He’ll be joined by classmates Brandon Coss, Jason Panas, Justin Hoover, Noah Brown, juniors Matt Marling, Andrew Nguyen, sophomores Braden Roski, Zack Riffle, Hunter Tomich, freshmen Brendan Miller, T.J. Sacco, Matt Ponzani, Ryan McCort, Gannon Kazmirski and Caleb Cook.

“This year is bringing a lot of excitement for me becauase we have so much youth on both teams,” Ciroli continued. “I believe these kids have an extreme amount of talent, so I am excited to see them grow not only throughout this season, but for the years to come.”

Graduation losses for the Red Devils were Julia Skrabak, Eliza Vrotsos, Shaina Thornton, Hannah Swisk, Isabella Trouten and Emily Thomas. On the boys side, those lost consist of Zac Banks, Mitchel Hoover and Kevin Klinkoski.

SHADYSIDE

A coaching veteran, Joel Joseph, is back for his second tour of duty as the Tigers head coach and welcomes back a veteran, but thin lineup.

“Numbers are a great concern,” Joseph said. “We will not have a (complete) boys team and we have two or three girls who also play volleyball and many meets conflict with matches.”

The Tigers do boast two returning state qualifiers … one in each gender.

Senior standout Chase Stewart is coming off not only a state cross berth, but also a state track meet appearance. He was one of the premier runners in the area last season and is expected to pick up where he left off.

He’s joined by Adam Davis and Nick Murphy.

“With a number one runner like Chase, it stinks to not have a solid team to put around him,” Joseph said.

Senior Katie James had a break-out season last fall, qualifying for her first state meet. She also had a strong track season.

She’ll be joined at the line by Syd Destifanes, Abbie Brown, Tory Hendershot, Jillian Joseph and Mattie Reiman.

“We are going to have work very hard to increase the numbers for next year,”

UNION LOCAL — Head coach Joey Meholovitch simplified it quite well for his 2018 Jets.

“The team is ready to step up,” Meholovitch said.

Numbers and experience are up, so now it’s time for the Jets to deliver.

The girls’ squad will be led by talented senior Hannah Kemp, who enjoyed a brilliant track season. She’ll be joined by underclassmen Madi Sells, Kylee Taylor, Bailee Perlman, Bri Bumgardner, Sierra Scott, Kyley McGinnis, Kalleigh Stoner and Hannah Merritt.

“We have several freshmen who should definitely help out,” Meholovitch said. “Overall, the girls team is primed and ready to compete.”

The boys’ numbers are even more impressive than the girls with a squad of 18 runners battling for the seven varsity spots.

Meholovitch believes his top five will consist — in some order because it could change weekly — of Andrew Smith, Shawn Coe, Andrew Martin, Nate Thornburg and Parker Skedel.

“Those five should be out front for us, but following that, it’s a guessing game,” Meholovitch said.

Others battling to get into the top seven are Luke Snyder, Brock Fankhauser, Tommy Walsh, Liam Vinskovich, Levi West, Skyler Thompson, Nathan Meyer, Chad Barbe, Derek Garrison, Jonathan Kemp, Aiden Miliken, Logan VanFossen and Connor Baker.

“The boys team is young and crowded,” Meholivitch said. “One thing is for sure … there will be a lot of red in the local meets. These kids are ready to step up and I am super excited to see them compete at their first meet (at Cadiz).”

Meholovitch is being assisted by Anna and Alex Snyder.

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