Cross-country: Depth could send Greenon on deep postseason run

Greenon’s boys cros-country team has produced a variety of individual state qualifiers, but the Knights have never competed at Hebron’s National Trail Raceway as a team.

And while coach Eric Brickson is optimistic, he’s not ready to make that bold statement.

“You look at Southwest Ohio for cross-country and it’s a brutal region. I’m not making a prediction that we’re going to state but we should be in the fight,” Brickson said. “We had a great conditioning summer because they are very motivated. All nine of our guys put in effort.”

The Knights are led by senior Max Pettit, who finished 30th at state as an individual qualifier. Brickson said the defending Central Buckeye Conference champion has the potential for a top-10 finish.

“He obviously wants to go out and win every race he runs. That’s just his attitude,” Brickson said. “Last year was kind of the Max Pettit show, but this year that’s definitely not the case.”

Greenon also returns sophomores Calvin Wise and Sean Glaze as the No. 2 and No. 3 runners. Junior Jacob Allen and freshmen Jackson Pettit and Gavin Patrick are all chasing the No. 5 spot.

“I’m really excited to see what Calvin can do this year. He should be a state qualifier even on his own,” Brickson said. “This is the most depth I’ve had. If you’re a small school you’re always looking for that No. 4 and No. 5 guy. This year I think we have it.”

Greenon finished 12th at the Division II district meet last season. The Knights drop down to D-III for at least the next two seasons. The top nine teams advance to district from a field of 35.

“I think we’ll get out of district,” Brickson said, “I’m not going to say we’re going to make it to state but we’ll be in the fight.”

In anticipation of qualifying for the regional tournament, Brickson added a meet in Troy to the schedule. Troy hosts the regional meet on the town’s levee.

“That gives the kids a chance to preview the regional course. Whether we make it or not as a team, some of the individuals can still get there,” Brickson said.

Shawnee’s boys, meanwhile, have qualified for state seven straight seasons. The Braves graduated two of its top runners and took a hit with depth, but coach Brian DeSantis is optimistic about a return trip.

Juniors Will Geist and Keith Kaiser step into team leadership roles after what DeSantis called “a phenomenal summer.” Senior Bailey Hoelscher and junior Ethan Griffith return depth for the Braves.

“If they stay healthy I think we can definitely make a run at returning to the state meet,” DeSantis said.

Among others to watch in the area include West Liberty-Salem senior and state qualifier Nick Williams and sophomore teammate Noah Smith, Northeastern senior Logan Brown and junior Payton Chatfield, Cedarville senior Johah Sheridan, Greeneview senior Mason Link and Tecumseh juniors Garrett Gemmaka and Ethan Adams.

Girls cross-country

Running powerhouse West Liberty-Salem returns five of its top seven from last season’s team that qualified for the Division III state championship meet.

Senior Reghan Bieleski and sophomore Grace Adams, who spent last season competing back and forth for top-runner status, finished 47th and 60th, respectively, out of 181 runners at state. They will be at it again as both look to break the sub-19 minute mark.

The duo are on pace to lead the Big Orange to a second straight state appearance and seventh overall with junior Lauren Fowler and sophomores Payton Umphries and Lydia Moell. Freshmen Katelyn Stapleton and Madison Bahan are expected to lessen the graduation losses. Stapleton, who finished third in the junior high state meet, has the potential to run with Bieleski and Adams up front.

“All three of them could be fighting for that No. 1 position and that’s a good problem to have,” WL-S coach AnnVogel said. “With the freshmen coming in and the experience last year, there’s definitely a level of excitement with the team. Every practice is pretty competitive. That’ll pay off when we start competing.”

Shawnee joined West Liberty-Salem at the state meet and goes for a fourth straight appearance in D-II. Senior Grace Holmes, sophomore Olivia Warax and senior Miah DeSantis run up front for Shawnee with senior Kelsey Lloyd and sophomores Caylee Hirtzinger and Madi Conley in the next pack.

Tecumseh, led last season by sophomore Gena Diller, could give Shawnee a run at the Central Buckeye Conference. Northwestern sophomore Kassidy Carpenter and Graham sophomore Holly Kamper are also among the area’s top returning runners in the CBC.

Catholic Central returns standout sophomores and twin sisters Addie Engel, who won the D-III regional meet and finished eighth a state, and Bridget Engel. Triad senior Holly Cole also returns as one of the Ohio Heritage Conference’s top runners.

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