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Bellaire’s Defibaugh has sights set on podium at state CC meet

T-L File Photo/SETH STASKEY BELLAIRE SENIOR Jacob Defibaugh runs toward a victory during a meet earlier this season. Defibaugh will compete in the Division III state CC meet Saturday in Columbus. This marks the second time he’s qualified.

BELLAIRE — As it pertains to the OHSAA’s State Cross Country Championships, Bellaire senior Jacob Defibaugh has been there and done that.

But, don’t think for a minute that the area’s lone qualifier is satisfied or just happy to be going back.

“I plan to leave everything on the course,” Defibaugh said. “This is it. This is my last (high school) race and I know there can’t be any regrets and no questions asked.”

Defibaugh enjoyed last season’s trip to state. He placed 30th overall in Division III and earned All-Ohio acclaim. Earning All-Ohio is once again an objective, but improving on that place is the main objective.

“I definitely want to make the podium,” Defibaugh said. “I also want to go under 16 (minutes). I think both of those goals are in reach and neither is at all unrealistic, but I also realize that I am going to have to run well.”

Defibaugh will depart Friday morning for Fortress Obetz, which is located in the Columbus suburb of Obetz, on the city’s southeast side. This marks the first time the OHSAA has held its state meet on the course. After a lengthy stay at Scioto Downs, the state meet has been held the last several seasons at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.

“As far as I can tell (from pictures and what I’ve seen and heard), it’s mostly a flat course,” Defibaugh said. “I think there’s possibly one small hill. I think it’s going to be a fast course. I believe it’s viewer friendly since (the course) passes in front of the grandstands three or four times. That will factor into the first mile because some kids will go out faster because of the adrenaline involved in the early portion of the race.”

Defibaugh earned the right to compete after placing 13th in a time of 16:58.3 at last week’s regional meet in Pickerington.

Admittedly, Defibaugh didn’t have his best day. He indicated there were several factors that played a role in that occurring, too.

“It was really cold (last Saturday morning) and I don’t do well (running) in the cold,” Defibaugh said. “Plus, I think I realized that I was going to make (the state), so in my head, I just kind of did enough to get through it. I realize that can’t be the case this week if I am going to achieve what I want to achieve.”

Defibaugh and head coach Chris Arno have spent much of the week backing off the mileage numbers and focusing on the speed aspect as the training schedule winds down.

“I feel really good physically and look forward to racing,” Defibaugh admitted.

Defibaugh said the 2020 campaign has “had its ups and downs.”

He was basically dominant against area competition, cruising to victories in the Buckeye 8 and Belmont County Championships. He didn’t have his best day at the OVAC and he won the district title in relatively convincing fashion two weeks ago.

“I’ve done some things this season that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do, beat some good runners, ran some fast times, but I also had some races where I ran slowly and had some tough losses,” Defibaugh said. “I realize you can’t have a good day every time out, but that’s something that everyone has to go through.”

Defibaugh, who has hopes to run collegiately, indicated that if there was anything he regretted about his cross country career with the Big Reds it was just simply that he waited too long to really invest the time and effort the sport requires.

“I wish I had started putting the work in that I did as a junior when I was a freshman,” Defibaugh said. “I feel like if I had taken that approach, I would be doing a little bit better. But, that’s not the way it happened.”

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