• E-Edition
• Home
• News
• Sports
• AP
• Obituaries
• Classifieds
• Jobs
• Autos
• Homes
• Garage Sales
• Coupons
• Subscribe
• Archive
• Services
• Contribute
• Blogs

DHS boys take fourth

Share Story:     E-mail Story    |    Print Story    |    Comments    |   

By KEVIN EIS

cnsports@crescent-news.com

COLUMBUS -- The Defiance High School boys cross country team claimed fourth place in the team standings at the State Cross Country Championships at Scioto Downs behind senior Trevin Flickinger's all-Ohio eighth-place time of 16:20.24

Meanwhile, Defiance senior Megan Vogelsong capped off a stellar career with all-state honors by coming in 21st during the Division II girls race.

Also garnering all-Ohio honors from the area was Napoleon sophomore Steven Weaver, who just made the cut in 25th place.

While high winds and unseasonably warm temperatures hampered times somewhat, the DHS boys managed an impressive finish behind state champion Peninsula Woodridge, Elyria Catholic and St. Clairsville.

"We did the best that we could do, it was a close race," lauded DHS boys mentor Obie Mouser, whose Bulldogs finished a mere 18 points behind St. Clairsville. "We would have had to run very well, and we had a shot at being one or two. But we gave it our best shot, so we go home and we just feel good about it.

"A lot of people didn't think we were going to be here," he continued. "They say 'oh, Defiance will never be top-seven and they've been living an easy life.' Okay, well, we were fourth ... we feel good about it."

Flickinger's place on the podium among Ohio's best marks the second in a row after finishing 10th at Columbus last year.

"That was my goal," said the DHS senior runner. "I wanted to make the podium, and I got it. I thought it was a good race overall. Where I was at the mile was where I wanted to be. I was back a little because the race got off a little fast, but I was right where I wanted to be at the two mile. Right after I got into the stadium I just started picking people off one by one."

While freshman Abel Flores just missed all-Ohio honors in 26th place, seniors Ben Hackworth, Geoff Burns, Ryan Zeller and Ryan McDonough all stepped up in their last race wearing the blue-and-white.

"It's pretty exciting coming back here two years in a row," said Hackworth, who placed 55th as Defiance's number-three runner. "It's pretty awesome, and being here with my team is a great feeling. I'm excited that we came here as a team."

Burns placed 78th out of a field of 146 in his first appearance with the DHS varsity.

"This is my first time being here, and these are all my best friends," he stated. "It feels awesome running a huge race with my best friends. I've been with these guys since junior high, and today was a good day."

Zeller, who has been consistently solid for the Defiance boys over the years, once again stepped up to cross the line in 89th position.

"Being in the top four is great, especially with the seniors that we have here," commented the DHS senior, who helped pace the Defiance boys to a third-place standing a year ago. "We all ran pretty good ... fourth place is really good."

While in his first year of cross country as a senior, McDonough took an interest in the sport for training purposes. However, the thrill of the big stage was not wasted on the Defiance newcomer.

"I came out here and I worked hard trying to get in better shape for swimming," said McDonough. "I'm really glad I did this, and I'm proud of everyone here."

Weaver, the Napoleon sophomore, edged out Flores by five seconds with a time of 16:39.35 in his first year of cross country competition.

"It's pretty exciting," said Weaver, who has been slightly hampered by an injury this season. "I didn't run as well as I wanted to, but it's a great experience to get out here for my first time and I look forward to getting back here next year."

"There's no excuses, but that injury did bother him," pointed out Napoleon head coach Randy Burke. "But he worked through it more than any other athlete would have. Being all-Ohio, he's excited now but disappointed. But he'll work to get better. He wants to be in that lead pack and hopefully be a state champion one day."

In the girls race, Vogelsong improved from 27th last season to earn all-state credentials with a time of 19:44.17.

"It's a great opportunity to run down here because not everyone gets that kind of a chance," said Vogelsong. "I'm really excited that it got to end down here."

After not finishing last year's state race as an individual, Defiance senior Anna Meyer took care of some unfinished business by crossing the line in 73rd. New to the sport last season as a junior, Meyer instantly became the number-two runner for the Lady Bulldogs.

"The season went by really fast," admitted Meyer. "I'm just happy to be down here. When you get down here, you realize how many people you have supporting you because they all come and you want to make them happy and make them proud. It was nice to finish the season here."

Which was a point taken from DHS girls mentor Scott Saner.

"I told them at the starting line 'hey, when I ran I never got a chance to do this,'" he said. "You have to savor these moments, you've got to enjoy it. You want to compete and you have certain expectations for yourself, but you have to kind of step back and enjoy the fact that you're here. There are a lot of people who would switch places with them in a heartbeat."

Rounding out the area D-II girls finishers, Wauseon junior Marin Baird placed 31st as an individual, while Napoleon senior Rachel Huddle took 45th to cap off an admirable career of four straight showings with Ohio's best.

"We hope the other girls look up to that and want to get down here four years in a row," concluded Burke of Huddle's impact on the Napoleon cross country program. "I know she wanted to get down here with the team, but the other girls have to feed off of her, step it up and want to do the same thing she did, and even better."

At Scioto Downs

Area Individual Finishers

Boys Meet

8. Trevin Flickinger (Defiance), 16:20.24; 25. Steven Weaver (Napoleon); Abel Flores (D); 55. Ben Hackworth (D); 78. Geoff Burns (D); 89. Ryan Zeller (D); 134. Ryan McDonough (D); 140. Christian Greek (D).

Girls Meet

21. Megan Vogelsong (Defiance), 19:44.17; 31. Marin Baird (Wauseon); 45. Rachel Huddle (Napoleon); 73. Anna Meyer (D).