FINDLAY – The Fremont Ross cross country teams returned to the Van Buren Invitational with fond memories of the event. A year ago, the Little and Lady Giants enjoyed great all-around success, both individually and as teams, and were hopeful for more of the same this time around.
And though the weather didn’t repeat itself – last year was cool and comfortable while Saturday’s meet was hot and humid – Fremont Ross’ success largely did.
Zach Edmonds
The boys team placed third out of 19 teams while the girls were fourth out of 13 teams.
“It was hot and humid, and you don’t run as well in hot humid weather, and they ran great, I thought,” coach John Elder said. “They ran very competitively.”
Zach Edmonds finished second overall, with a time of 16 minutes, 51.46 seconds, just 1.48 seconds behind the winner, Whitmer’s Isaac Burkart.
“The only thing Zach didn’t do well is, the boy from Whitmer took off at the beginning and if (Edmonds) would have gone with him at the beginning, he would have caught him at the end, because he closed really strong on him,” Elder said. “He can run with that kid, he just has to have the confidence, not worry about it and just go get it.”
Ethan McClory finished fourth in 17:04 while Brayden Darr was 22nd, in 18:08. Isaias Ortiz crossed the finish in 33rd in a time of 18:22 and Trenton Ward finished the scoring for Ross, placing 36th in 18:29.
“I thought all our kids went out after it really well,” Elder said. “Trenton Ward, he really stepped up. Jake Thompson, who’s normally our fifth runner, just didn’t have it – but that happens – and Trenton stepped up and ran, basically, in place of Jake Thompson, which is exactly what you’re supposed to do, and is why you have a team. They’re supposed to pick it up when someone else falters, and they did really well.
“The boys had a great day overall.”
McKela Elder
As for the Lady Giants, they were once again led by the top of the lineup. McKela Elder, placed fourth overall with a time of 20:30 while McKenzie Smith was eighth in 21:05 and Allison Taylor was 13th in 21:42.
“When the girls ran, it got really hot and humid, and humid conditions are really hard to run in,” John Elder said. “I think the kids were competitive in spite of the weather, we’ve been fortunate with the weather all year and (Saturday) was a hot one. So, we did OK.”
Once again, however, there was a sizable gap between Ross’ third runner and the rest of the lineup. No. 4 scorer Grace Egbert finished 50th in 24:26 and McKenna Englund finished 65th in 24:58.
“They have to keep pushing and pushing it. It’s a question of ‘How do you handle adversity and how do you handle the pain of running faster?’” Elder said. “You know what, if those next two girls just can’t do it, that’s just what we have to deal with. I think they can do it, but if they’re trying their hardest, then so be it. That’s OK. I’ve had situations like that in the past. One year we had a group of four really good runners, but we didn’t have a fifth runner and we lost a lot of meets because of that, but what can you do?”
The Lady Giants only have one more week to figure that out before the championship portion of the season begins.
Next Saturday Ross travels to the Old Fort Invite for its last meet of the regular season.
Van Buren Invitational
BOYS
Team: Placed third, out of 19 teams, with 92 points
Zach Edmonds, 2nd overall, 16:51.46
Ethan McClory, 4th overall, 17:04.20
Brayden Darr, 22nd overall, 18:08.96
Isaias Ortiz, 33rd overall, 18:22.89
Trenton Ward, 36th overall, 18:29.73
Jake Thompson, 43rd overall, 18:42.39
Ivan Starkweather, 73rd overall, 19:43.08
GIRLS
Team: Fremont Ross placed fourth, out of 13 teams, with 119 points
McKela Elder, 4th overall, 20:30.50
Mackenzie Smith, 8th overall, 21:05.16
Allison Taylor, 13th overall, 21:42.90
Grace Egbert, 50th overall, 24:26.53
McKenna Englund, 65th overall, 24:58.23
Nadia Kirksey, 69th overall, 25:12.91
Sarah Burciaga, 96th overall, 26:39.53