Shawnee’s Noah Williams competes in Saturday’s Division I regional cross country meet at Hedges Boyer Park in Tiffin.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
TIFFIN — All season long, when the Columbus Grove and Lincolnview boys’ cross country teams have competed against each other, it’s been a battle.
Saturday’s Division III regional meet at Tiffin’s Hedges-Boyer Park was not any different.
In the D-III boys’ race, Columbus Grove got by second place Lincolnview for the regional title, 96-122.
In Division III, the top seven teams, along with the top 28 individuals in Saturday’s races at Tiffin advance to next Saturday’s Ohio High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park in Obetz.
Rounding out the top seven boys’ teams in D-III are Ottawa Hills (third, 174), New Bremen (fourth, 192), Minster (fifth, 215), Marion Local (sixth, 244) and Seneca East (seventh, 247). There were 22 full teams (at least five finishers).
“That says something about our conference,” longtime Columbus Grove boys’ head coach Terry Schnipke said. “(There are) pretty good runners, and pretty good competition (in the Northwest Conference). That’s good to see.”
Saturday’s regional title for the Columbus Grove boys’ program is its third one in the past four years.
“I try to prepare them as much as I can,” Schnipke said. “We talked this year about the best antidote for this is preparation. So, we try to prepare them. We had a great week of practice. They worked really hard out here (on the regional course) on Tuesday, and we had a good practice on Thursday.”
Leading the way for Columbus Grove on Saturday was Luke Ellerbrock, who finished fifth in a time of 16 minutes, 21.66 seconds on the 5,000-meter course that traversed around Hedges-Boyer Park.
Ottawa Hills’ Riley Nixon won the D-III race in 15:54.16.
“It could have been better. … I wanted to get second,” Ellerbrock said. “I was hoping to get up there and run with Riley Nixon. But everyone got off to a very fast start, and I was just pretty much sprinting the first half mile. It wasn’t my greatest race, but I didn’t leave too many points on the board. I’m just happy for another week.”
Rounding out the five scorers for Columbus Grove were Evan Pitts (seventh, 16:29.82), Levi Bryan (16:56.05), Caiden Squillante (35th, 17:15.79) and Bryce Bonifas (46th, 17:31.31).
Pitts was pleased with where he placed.
“I was pretty happy. I was just trying to get up there — trying to get in the top 10. I’ve been trying to get in the 20s (16:20s) or even better,” Pitts said.
Lincolnview was led by Conner Baldauf’s sixth-place finish (16:28.55).
“We came in sitting third and we ended up placing second,” Baldauf said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Baldauf said he felt stronger as the race progressed.
“The start was a little iffy. We went up the hill a little bit. But as the race went on, I started catching people. I just knew the more people I caught, the better spot for our team. You have to stay in control. If you let that get to you, it’s not going to end well,” Baldauf said.
The rest of Lincolnview’s scorers included Evan Johns (14th, 16:48.79), Kreston Tow (23rd, 16:55.41), Myles Moody (53rd, 17:37.38) and Maddox Norton (55th, 17:39.95).
“They (Columbus Grove) are so good,” longtime Lincolnview head coach Matt Langdon said. “We had a very good race, today. … They (Grove) did too. Conner (Baldauf), Evan (Johns) and Kreston (Tow) all individually qualified (for the state meet). Then our (No.) four, five, six and seven guys were just solid, which is what you want.
“Hopefully, we can put it all together next weekend, and do what we did today. I think today, they’re happy. I like where we are. There’s a little edge yet. They have some things they want to prove.”
The only Lima area D-III boys’ runner that placed in the top 28 overall spots (not on a state-qualifying team) and qualified for next Saturday’s state meet was Fort Recovery’s Trevor Heitkamp (12th, 16:38.04).
Minster dominates D-III girls race
Minster, which won the D-III girls’ state title the previous two seasons, looked to be in championship form Saturday as it placed its five scorers in the top 27 overall spots (191 finishers), en route to a winning score of 48 points.
Liberty Center finished a distant second with 125 points. Rounding out the top seven teams were Huron (148), Lincolnview (192), Colonel Crawford (219), Fort Recovery (220), Patrick Henry (221). There were 23 full teams.
Chaney Cedarleaf led Minster with a second-place finish in 18:33.84. The rest of Minster’s scorers were Maria Niekamp (fifth, 18:45.04), Margaret Hemmelgarn (eighth, 18:57.57), Annie Hemmelgarn (21st, 19:29.96) and Claire Bohman (27th, 19:55.72).
“I think I PR’d by like 10 seconds or so, which is exciting,” Cedarleaf said. “I love running with Maggie (Hemmelgarn) and Maria (Niekamp). It’s just been a blast, being able to compete with them. It makes running a lot more fun, for sure.”
Added longtime Minster girls head coach Jessie Magoto, “We’re really happy with those three (top three runners). They have been interchangeable. It’s awesome to see Chaney just open it up there at the end. I’m happy with all of them.
“The goal was to move on (to the state meet). The goal was to run strong, be confident and work together; and that’s what they did. So, if they just focus on that, everything else will work out.”
The Lincolnview girls’ team, which placed fourth, was led by sophomore Brynleigh Moody’s 11th-place finish (19:10.24). This will be Moody’s second trip to the state cross country meet.
“I was really nervous toward the end when that group of girls passed me,” Moody said. “But I knew I could rely on my kick to get them at the end.
“I’m just really excited for next week. I want to be all-Ohio. … I’d like to be top 20.”
Other Lima area D-III girls who qualified as an individual (and not on a state-qualifying team) for the state meet were Riverdale’s Allison Woodruff (16th, 19:18.19), and Miller City’s Andrea Pfau (20th, 19:28.87).
Ottawa-Glandorf’s Rosengarten wins title; O-G girls finish second
Ottawa-Glandorf junior Ty Rosengarten was in familiar territory in Saturday’s D-II regional race at Tiffin.
Literally, all of Rosengarten’s races this season have come down to a sprint to the finish.
In Saturday’s race, Rosengarten outkicked Bryan’s Xander Fackler to notch the victory in nearly photo-finish style.
Rosengarten’s winning time was 15:52.22, while Fackler crossed the finish line in 15:52.33. Van Wert’s Owen Scott finished third (16:05.63). Celina’s Colin Buening came in fourth (16:25.11).
“It was me, Owen (Scott) and Xander (Fackler) running (together),” Rosengarten said. “Then, Owen started to fall behind. So, Xander and I went back-and-forth the last 400 (meters). Then, the last 200 (meters) came down to a sprint. I just got him.”
Rosengarten, the school record-holder, said he wants to be in the hunt next Saturday at Obetz.
“I want to stay close – stay in the top 15, or 16,” Rosengarten said.
In Division II, the top four teams, along with the top 16 overall placers qualified for the state meet.
In the D-II boys team standings, Liberty-Benton won the title, slipping past Shelby 87-92. Van Wert (92) and Celina (105) rounded out the four state-qualifying teams. Shelby and Van Wert recorded the same score. However, the sixth-man tiebreaker gave Shelby second place. There were 11 full teams.
Other Lima area D-II boys that qualified as individuals Saturday (not on state-qualifying teams) were Coldwater’s Mason Ayers (fifth, 16:34.10), Bath’s Jacob Wireman (seventh, 16:34.86) and Everett Bensman (14th, 16:59.63), and Defiance’s Cole Batt (10th, 16:39.40).
For the Ottawa-Glandorf girls team, this past week was one of uncertainty.
Senior Madelyn Hovest, who has led the O-G pack for the most part this season, recently suffered a broken toe while playing soccer. Hovest also plays soccer during the fall.
However, Hovest managed to compete Saturday, as the Titans finished second behind Lexington. O-G scored 76 points, compared to Lexington’s 53 points. Shelby (116) and Eastwood (118) rounded out the top four girls’ teams. There were 11 full teams.
Leading the way for O-G on Saturday was Anna Buddelmeyer with a seventh-place finish (19:11.59). Hovest finished 15th (19:30.29). Rounding out the scorers for the Titans were Corinne Closson (17th, 19:35.65), Liana Fortman (25th, 20:16.70) and Brea Recker (29th, 20:25.96).
Buddelmeyer said it was a little different Saturday, not having Hovest in front of her, or right on her heels.
“It was definitely harder because we really rely on each other a lot. This week has been kind of stressful, preparing (for Saturday). We didn’t know she was going to run until today. … We were preparing for both scenarios. I think the team really came together with the circumstances we were in. We wanted to be champions today, but I think we’re OK being runner-up,” Buddelmeyer said.
O-G head coach Holly Flueckiger said the team stepped up to the challenge.
“We didn’t know how it was going to go, with Madelyn breaking her toe,” Flueckiger said. “But, man, she was tough. If anyone could do it – she could power through it. She was amazing.
“I’m proud of them. They worked hard all week. Like I said, they could have let that get them down, but they did not. We knew they had to be ready. They knew they could. We just put the positivity in their minds that they can still do this.”
Other Lima area D-II girls that qualified as individuals (not on a state-qualifying team) Saturday were Kenton’s Addi Manns (ninth, 19:21.77), Celina’s Jennalee Dameron (11th, 19:24.72) and Shawnee’s Jenna Stump (13th, 19:28.03).
Shawnee places seventh in D-I
The Shawnee boys team placed seventh in the D-I race.
In the boys and girls D-I races at Tiffin, the top two teams, along with the top eight individual placers advanced to the state meet.
Shawnee’s Noah Williams (12th, 16:08.10) and Wapakoneta’s Axton Fosnaugh (13th, 16:10.90) had the best area finishes.
On the girls’ side, Wapakoneta’s Kenzie Schneider had the best area performance (21st, 20:22.10).
Race Winners/Area Finishers in Top 50
Girls
Division II
Team Scores: 1. Lexington 53, 2. Ottawa-Glandorf 76, 3. Shelby 116, 4. Eastwood 118, 5. Norwalk 159, 6. Kenton 165, 7. Bryan 177, 8. Galion 181, 9. Liberty-Benton 207, 10. Lima Shawnee 218, 11. Clyde 246, Celina NS.
Race Winner/Area Finishers in Top 50: 1. Morgan Wiechman (Port Clinton) 18:30.54, 7. Anna Buddelmeyer (OG) 19:11.59, 9. Addi Manns (Kenton) 19:21.77, 13. Jenna Stump (Shawnee) 19:28.03, 15. Madelyn Hovest (OG) 19:30.29, 17. Corinne Closson (OG) 19:35.65, 23. Leah Harder (Kenton) 20:12.29, 25. Liana Fortman (OG) 20:16.70, 29. Brea Recker (OG) 20:25.96, 40. Rose Turnwald (OG) 21:09.49, 41. Delaney Buxton (Kenton) 21:10.50, 43. Morgan Maag (OG) 21:14.55, 48. Marissa Ledley (Kenton) 21:22.34.
Division III
Team Scores: 1. Minster 48, 2. Liberty Center 125, 3. Huron 148, 4. Lincolnview 192, 5. Colonel Crawford 219, 6. Fort Recovery 220, 7. Patrick Henry 221, 8. Parkway 253, 9. Seneca East 271, 10. Arcbold 303, 11. Mil. Edison 316, 12. Sher. Fairview 328, 13. Ash. Crestview 338, 14. Genoa Area 344, 15. Van Buren 358, 16. St. Henry 370, 17. New London 370, 18. Riverdale 436, 19. Columbus Grove 449, 20. Pettisville 456, 21. Ottawa Hills 459, 22. Elmwood 464, 23. Delphos St. John’s 510, Coldwater NS, Marion Local NS, Kalida NS, Miller City NS, Pandora-Gilboa NS.
Race Winner/Area Finishers in Top 50: 1. Reese Landis (New London) 17:59.70, 2. Chaney Cedarleaf (Minster) 18:33.90, 5. Maria Niekamp (Minster) 18:45.10, 8. Margaret Hemmelgarn (Minster) 18:57.60, 11. Brynleigh Moody (Lincolnview) 19:10.30, 19. Natalie Brunswick (Fort Recovery) 19:26.80, 20. Andrea Pfau (Miller City) 19:28.90, 21. Annie Hemmelgarn (Minster) 19:30.00, 27. Claire Bohman (Minster) 19:55.80, 29. Ava Milligan (Lincolnview) 20:01.70, 30. Rileigh Baumer (St. Henry) 20:04.90, 31. Morgan Ketner (Minster) 20:08.20, 33. Ally Heath (St. Henry) 20:18.50, 35. Taylor Muhlenkamp (Parkway) 20:21.00, 36. Andrea Burgei (Kalida) 20:22.70, 43. Ellie Will (Fort Recovery) 20:32.10, 45. Sarah Kamphaus (Columbus Grove) 20:33.70.
Boys
Division II
Team Scores: 1. Liberty-Benton 87, 2. Shelby 92, 3. Van Wert 92, 4. Celina 105, 5. Bryan 112, 6. Ontario 135, 7. Defiance 150, 8. Bellevue 158, 9. Otsego 191, 10. Genoa Area 245, 11. Mil. Lake 255, Ottawa-Glandorf NS, Bath NS, Coldwater NS.
Race Winners/Area Finishers in Top 50: 1. Ty Rosengarten (OG) 15:52.22, 3. Owen Scott (Van Wert) 16:05.63, 4. Colin Buening (Celina) 16:25.11, 5. Mason Ayers (Coldwater) 16:34.10, 7. Jacob Wireman (Bath) 16:34.86, 14. Everett Bensman (Bath) 16:59.63, 19. John Kramer (Van Wert) 17:14.58, 22. Andrew Laudick (Van Wert) 17:18.12, 24. Kaleb Dameron (Celina) 17:20.32, 25. Kaden Steed (Celina) 17:24.92, 29. Gavin Luebke (St. Marys) 17:36.10, 35. Harrison Sloan (Van Wert) 17:45.63, 40. Eli Spring (Celina) 17:53.82, 41. Caleb Lehman (Celina) 17:54.22, 42. Rylan Miller (Van Wert) 17:56.45.
Division III
Team Scores: 1. Columbus Grove 96, 2. Lincolnview 122, 3. Ottawa Hills 174, 4. New Bremen 192, 5. Minster 215, 6. Marion Local 244, 7. Seneca East 247, 8. Mil. Edison 256, 9. Tinora 279, 10. Van Buren 283, 11. Old Fort 291, 12. New Riegel 334, 13. Delta 335, 14. Archbold 337, 15. New London 340, 16. Gorham Fayette 342, 17. Holgate 375, 18. Crestview 384, 19. Elmwood 407, 20. Huron 418, 21. Bucyrus 456, 22. Mans. Christian 615, Hardin Northern NS, Fort Recovery NS, Ottoville NS, Bluffton NS, Leipsic NS.
Race Winners/Area Finishers in Top 50: 1. Riley Nixon (Ottawa Hills) 15:54.20, 4. Zach Wiedeman (New Bremen) 16:13.80, Luke Ellerbrock (Columbus Grove) 16:21.70, 6. Conner Baldauf (Lincolnview) 16:28.60, 7. Evan Pitts (Columbus Grove) 16:29.90, 8. Ryan Halpin (Minster) 16:30.00, 14. Evan Johns (Lincolnview) 16:48.80, 23. Kreston Tow (Lincolnview) 16:55.50, 25. Levi Bryan (Columbus Grove) 16:56.10, 28. Jack Grieshop (Minster) 17:01.50, 30. Levi Fenzl (Bluffton) 17:04.00, 31. Jett Jellison (New Bremen) 17:05.90, 33. Dominic Shroyer (New Bremen) 17:10.40, 35. Caiden Squillante (Columbus Grove) 17:15.80, 38. Nick Prenger (Minster) 17:19.20, 39. Trey Goettemoeller (Marion Local) 17:21.40, 44. Lincoln Smith (Crestview) 17:28.00, 46. Bryce Bonifas (Columbus Grove) 17:31.40, 47. Wyatt German (Ottoville) 17:32.70.
