Ohio State Meet

Sparkling sunshine, mid sixties temperatures, and a standing room only
grandstand greeted the runners to the 71st annual boys and 22nd annual
girls Ohio State Cross Country Championships at Scioto Downs, Columbus,
Ohio, Sat. November 6. The meet undoubtedly shattered attendance
records for the three girls and three boys races in the three tiered
Ohio Prep structure.

The fireworks began in the Division III girls race as Minster made a
late surge to come from well behind to just overcome Woodmore 104-107
in the closest team contest of the day. Minster was led by Freshman
Brittany Winner and Brooke Luttmmer. When you add to this, the fact
that they have arguably the premier middle school team of all classes in
the state, it can be seen that the Tigers are not likely to move out of
the throne room easily in 2000. Favored Spencerville sophomore Angie
Homan (18:26) broke away early and won comfortably over Liberty Benton
senior Julie Pitney (18:52). 

In Division II Girls, Beaumont parlayed a second place from veteran
senior Lindsey Nemastil (18:51) with a four freshman pack to repeat
their regional victory over 1998 champion Field by a 92-109 margin. 
Emily Mars (18:41) of Field was the race winner. 1998 runner up
Eastwood rebounded from a mediocre regional effort to score 122 for
third.

In the large school girls division, Cincinnati Colerain won comfortably
as expected with 68 points. Kent Roosevelt reversed the finish of their
Northeast regional result with a narrow 123 - 127 placing over Massilon
Jackson in the battle for the runner up spot. Junior Chelsea Homan
(17:53) of Cincinnati Anderson raced away from a strong field to the
only sub 18 minute clocking of the day to win the individual title. 
Second was Emily Halm, Jackson (18:12); third Allison Zenner, Colerain
(18:22); fourth Brooke Patterson, Lancaster (18:33); fifth Lindsey
Zinn, Lakota East (18:35). Placing 6th only 4 weeks after 
being sidelined with a stress fracture
was talented Anthony Wayne senior Jinny Hanifan (18:41).

With the lowest point total of the day,  McDonald
team came up with an absolutely brilliant race to outdistance Jack
Quisno’s Liberty Benton Eagles 6l - 98 to win the Division III Boys
race. Fort Loramie was third with 110. Any of five runners were in
contention to win the individual championship as they exited the track
area for the last mile north loop, but it was late charging Old Fort
senior Jeremy Riehm (16:08) who came from off pace to win narrowly over
Louisville St. Thomas senior Kevin Tschell (16:11)

Seniors Bob Sheridan and Matt Finnerty led Youngstown Cardinal Mooney
(99) to the Division II boys crown. Late peaking Fairmont Kettering
Alter garnered the runner up trophy in a close 114-118 decision over
defending state champions Girard. Aurora’s senior James Sjostrom was
only 41st in the ‘98 state meet, but he was a convincing 15:41 to 15:51
victor over runner up Matt Penza of Girard in the 1999 edition.

Sporting identical bleached blonde hair, the Brunswick seven was easily
the most identifiable team in the large school championship field. After
the race they were equally identifiable as they accepted their
championship medals on the awards stand. Tallying only 87 points they
upset favored defending champs Cincinnati St. Xavier (125) who got the
nod for the runner up trophy on the sixth man tie breaker over
Pickerington. Pickerington ran very strongly through four places, but
had to count 80 points at five. LaSalle senior Steve Padget (15:19)
recorded the fastest time of the day to win the individual race over
Chris Acs of Nile McKinley (15:26) and Andy Smith of Hudson (15:31).

Complete statistical results to follow.