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With a junior-laden squad, Nick Meidl pointed out that Canal Winchester’s boys cross country team was "really pointing toward next year."
This year wasn’t so bad to the Indians, either.
Buoyed by a tight-knit pack, Canal Winchester took runner-up in the Division II state championships yesterday at Scioto Downs. Peninsula Woodridge, fourth ranked in the Midwest, coasted to victory with a low score of 43 points. Canal won the tight anticipated competition for second with 152 points.
"As a group, I think we ran very well," Indians coach John Bender said. "We were realistic about our chances of winning, but the boys really wanted to get up on the awards stand. We were shooting for second place and we got it. As long as the kids ran their hardest and they feel good about themselves, I’m happy."
The day didn’t go exactly as Canal scripted it, however. Cory Irwin, the Indians’ top runner in every meet this season, gave way to Meidl, who took 22 nd in 16:27. Irwin was 41 st (16:52).
"I was aiming to beat Cory, but I didn’t think I would," Meidl said. "I was hoping to beat him just for us to do better, though. We really wanted to get second. Hopefully, next year we’ll be first."
Aaron Melhorn of Navarre Fairless repeated as individual champion (15:22).
T.J. Badertscher of River Valley was central Ohio’s top finisher, taking 20 th in 16:26.
Mount Gilead’s title hopes in a wideopen Division III hunt were dashed. Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas edged East Canton 114-115 for the championship. Mount Gilead took eighth with 204 points.
"Our pack was a lot further back than we hoped it would be," Indians coach Denny West said. "We did get out a little conservatively by design, but we just didn’t attack from mile one to mile two like we planned. A few guys should have been a little higher in the pack, but that’s the way it goes. It doesn’t take away from anything we achieved this year."
Mount Gilead senior Cameron Johnson finished in fine fashion, taking sixth in 16:06. Samuel Borchers of Yellow Springs was the winner (15:50).
"I was just aiming for the top 10, so to get sixth is really gratifying," Johnson said. "I was right where I wanted to be positionwise the whole way. At about 3,000 meters, the leaders starting moving and it was all I could do to hold my spot."
In Division I, Hilliard Darby led the area contingent with an eighth-place finish (213 points). Cincinnati LsSalle repeated as champion with 78 points.
Jake Edwards of Delaware was the top area placer, taking ninth (15:47). Thinking he was competing for 10 th place, Edwards dived across the line to no avail.
"The field was so deep and talented this year it was almost ridiculous," Edwards said. "There was a big pack coming into the stadium and I really wanted to get in the top 10. I thought it was between 10 th and 11 th for me and the other guy (Donny Roys) of Medina. I guess all that drama was unnecessary."
Emil Heineking of Chardon won in 15:16.