Area cross country runners are set to go on August 23rd at the annual Shelby County Preview. The Preview gives running fans their first look at teams from the Shelby County Athletic League, as well as those from Sidney, Sidney Christian and Lehman. The rotating role of host school has been given to Sidney this year after Russia previously hosted last year. There will be a turnover of sorts in Shelby County girls cross country this season as seven of the top twelve finishers from the SCAL Meet last October were seniors. This year, six of the seven SCAL girls teams have the required five runners for team scoring, but only Ft. Loramie and Russia have seven or more runners to fill the maximum varsity roster. Below are my opinions on the teams and individuals I will be watching next Tuesday night.
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| Russia will be aiming for their 7th consecutive Preview title |
Russia
The Lady Raiders lose their top two runners from last season, but that's a problem coach Doug Foster has become accustomed to after regional championships the last three consecutive years. Graduated is the dynamic duo of Molly Kearns and Lauren Heaton. Back this year is a strong core that includes seniors Audrey Gariety and Shae Goubeaux, juniors Becky Pinchot and Megan Frazier, and sophomores Anna Fiessinger and Claire Meyer. All six have varsity experience from 2015 and should be strong enough for Russia to captures their 7th straight Preview title and perhaps a 5th straight league championship this October.
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| Ft. Loramie fans see a bright future in Paige Rethman |
Ft. Loramie
The Lady Redskins graduated five of their top seven runners from last year after finishing runner-up in the league standings for the fourth straight year. Senior Kaitlyn Luebke and sophomore Erin Chaney are the top returners this season and should get the most help from a flock of strong freshman. Leading that freshman group is last year's SCAL junior high champion, Paige Rethman. I predict coach Dennis Prenger will see a young Ft. Loramie team blossom into a powerful group over the next few months.
Botkins
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| There's another Flora that could lead Botkins again |
Coach Ryan Gutman has built a very successful program at Botkins during his time, but graduating two-time All-Ohio runner Chloe Flora and her 2nd-Team All-SCAL classmate Kayla Hueker would be tough on anyone. Junior Brooklyn Flora and sophomore Adrianna Jutte will be the nucleus of a young Lady Trojans team this year and I'm betting the two will both have breakout seasons. One thing is for sure, with only five runners on the roster the Botkins girls have to stay healthy to compete as a team.
Houston
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| Houston's Morgan Ely (bottom right) was All-SCAL last season |
The Lady Wildcats have just six girls in their program this year, but that's enough for coach Ron Boeke. Even though the numbers are small, the talent is big with junior Morgan Ely back, a 1st-Team All-SCAL runner last year. Also, returning are solid runners in senior Emma Mertz and sophomore Hollie Voisard. Senior Allie Voisard will run her first year of cross country as well after having success on the track in middle distance this past spring.
Anna, Fairlawn & Jackson Center
Anna, Fairlawn & Jackson Center
The last three teams that round out the SCAL all have their work cut out for them. Anna has just five runners, with three of them being first year runners. Returning junior Gracen Rogers will be the highlight for the Lady Rockets. Fairlawn has no high school runners and just one at the junior high level. Jackson Center will be building for the future with a one junior, three sophomores and a freshman.
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| Ana Adams might be the best runner in all of Sidney |
As mentioned above, three Sidney schools will run at the Preview on Tuesday. Sidney High School is Division-I and I look for an emerging star in freshman Ana Adams. Ana put in miles this summer running with the boys team and also attended a cross country camp that featured speakers Sam Prakel who runs at Oregon and Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy. Listening to advice from those two guys would make anyone faster.
Lehman Catholic experienced mild success in girls cross country last year, but gone are their top three, including star Jenna Zimmerman who will run for a loaded Division I Troy her final senior season. The Lady Cavs top returner is junior Alanna O'Leary who was a two-time state qualifier in track this spring. Although Alanna definitely excels more as a sprinter, I anticipate some big improvements this season as her team's #1 runner.
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5:00 PM Junior High Girls
5:30 PM Junior High Boys
6:00 PM High School Girls
6:30 PM High School Boys
Below is a list of recent Preview team and individual champions (click to enlarge):
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