For starters, the regional cross country meet in Troy is traditionally, without a doubt, the best of the four regionals in Ohio. I won't waste time arguing which schools are better than others, but I will point out that the Minster girls program holds the state cross country championship record with nine titles, including last years. Guess which regional they're running in this weekend? That's a rhetorical question of course. The biggest reason I get a kick out of this event is what's on the line for all these kids...kids that live on my street, kids whose parents I went to school with, and kids that enjoy the same sport I do. The boys race will have 16 teams plus 21 individual qualifiers for a total of 133 kids from 31 schools. The girls race will have 16 teams plus 18 individual qualifiers for a total of 130 runners from 31 schools. Every kid realizes what's on the line and you can bet every kid will be giving absolutely everything they've got trying to make it to the State Meet the following week. The top four teams and those individuals that finish in the top 16 advance to Hebron. It's truly inspirational to watch so many working so hard. The Troy race also has a reputation for showcasing eventual state champions. Last year both the girls state champ, Tammy Berger from Versailles, and the boys state champ, Colin Cotton from Country Day, also won in Troy. By the way, Tammy is back again this Saturday to run her last Troy regional. I'll personally be pulling for the Russia Raiders girls and boys teams to make a return trip to the State Meet after both making it last year. It's a remarkable spectacle with the best talent in the state and that's why I keep coming back every year.
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