T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY PICTURED ARE the three area runners who will compete in Saturday's OHSAA State Cross Country Championship at National Trail Raceway in Hebron. Kneeling is Bellaire's Jacob Defibaugh. Standing, from left, are River's Livi Beard and Buckeye Trail's Kathryn Williams.

And then there were three.

Just a trio of area harriers remain as the final meet of the Ohio cross country season unfolds Saturday at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.

Bellaire’s Jacob Defibaugh, River’s Livi Beard and Buckeye Trail’s Kathryn Williams have earned the right to compete at the OHSAA State Cross Country Championship.

Beard and Williams will be on the course first as part of the Division III female race at 11 a.m.. Defibaugh will be at the starting line for the Division III boys race, which will go off at 1:30 p.m.

DEFIBAUGH is making his debut at the state level of competition after finishing a solid 14th in 16:51 at last week’s regional meet at rainy Pickerington North.

“When I crossed the line and saw my place, I was really excited to know that I had made it (to state),” Defibaugh said. “It was an up-hill battle, especially after the first mile. I had to fight to hold onto my place.”

Becoming Bellaire’s ninth male qualifier since cross country extended its distance to 5,000 meters, Defibaugh has been exceptional most of the season.

“I thought coming off of track season that I could have a good season, but I wasn’t expecting all of (these accomplishments),” Defibaugh said. “I just knew that if I worked hard enough, success would come.”

It was actually the regional track meet in last May at Muskingum University that help mold Defiabugh for this season. At the urging of head cross country and assistant track coach Chris Arno and head track coach Shawn Valloric, Defibaugh competed in both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs rather than picking one to try to focus on enhancing his chances to get to state.

“I didn’t want to run that double,” Defibaugh recalled. “But, the coaches talked me into it and I ran pretty well. Since then, my work ethic has skyrocketed.”

Basically, Defibaugh hasn’t looked back. He won seven race titles, including the Buckeye 8, OVCCL and OVAC Class 3A titles. He was the district runnerup.

Defibaugh is being realistic about his goals for this weekend. He’d obviously love to reach the podium and earn all-Ohio acclaim. But, if those don’t happen and he’s able to run his best time, he’d be proud of that effort, too.

“I just have to run my race,” Defibaugh said. “We’ve looked at some times and such of the other guys. Being an all-Ohioan is the goal as it’s been probably since the middle of the season. I think I am going to have to approach this race a little bit more strategically.”

BEARD, meanwhile, is gearing up for her final prep cross country race.

The talented River senior, who competed in the state meet last November, finished 70th overall in 21:04. She’s shaved nearly 80 seconds off that time, which gives Beard much more confidence going into this weekend.

“I am hoping to leave it all out on the course and see what happens,” Beard said. “I feel like if I can run a (personal record), I can place. My number one goal is to get on that (awards) podium.”

Beard has had another brilliant season for the Pilots. She was an all-OVAC performer and last week finished 11th in the regional in a solid 19:47.

“There was definitely some added pressure (at the regional) last week, knowing it’s my last year and wanting to get to state,” Beard said. “I think that affected my performance. I didn’t run as well as I had hoped, but I hope to do bettert this week.”

WILLIAMS is embarking on her second state meet in as many opportunities. She earned her way back by virtue of finishing fifth in 19:36 last weekend.

“I am really proud and happy with how my season has gone so far,” Williams said. “I am excited to be back in the state meet and I feel ready to go.”

Williams made the most of her first state opportunity last season, finishing 20th overall and earning all-Ohio accolades. She toured the 5,000-meter course in 19:57, which is 21 seconds slower than she ran in awful weather conditions last weekend.

“Having last year’s experience to draw fom is really important because I have a good feel of what to expect,” Williams said.

Though she earned all-Ohio, Williams came up a few spots shy of reaching the coveted awards stand, so that’s where her focus lies this week.

“My goal is to get on the podium,” Williams explained. “Last year was tough because of how they had to re-schedule the meet, but with everything being good this year, the plan and workout schedules are much more in place.”

STATE CC NOTE

REBEKAH CARR will compete in this weekend’s Division III state meet, representing Smithville High School. She is the granddaughter of St. Clairsville Hall of Famer, John Hughes (Class of 1960) and Bellaire High School graduate Laura Jo Greenlee (Class of 1962). Hughes is a former state cross country participant and Rebekah’s uncle, Darrell, was a state champion in 1990, representing Galloway Westland in suburban Columbus. Carr becomes the third generation of her family to compete at the state level in cross country.