Russia hoping to rewrite history

The last Russia boys cross country team to win a regional championship was back in 2009. Bottom - Coach Neal Schafer, Trevor Sherman, Blake Worthington and Luke Pohlman. Top - Coach Kyle Moore, Joel Meyer, Alex York, Chris Ball, Andy Toller and Coach Doug Foster.

Let's start with the obvious. In recent years it's not been uncommon for Russia fans to watch their cross country team run at the regional meet, then later that day watch the volleyball team compete in the district finals. In fact, diehard Raider spectators have been pulling double duty on this upcoming Saturday for many years. What is uncommon is Russia's potential to bring home those two tournament titles in the same weekend. Actually, it's never been done in school history.

This Saturday at 10:40am the Division IV state-ranked #7 Russia boys will race for the regional championship on the banks of the Great Miami River in Troy. Before the race is over, at 11:00am the Division VII state-ranked #5 Russia girls will aim for a district volleyball championship at Fairborn High School. Due to those starting times and venues, Raiders fans will need to pick their favorite team to watch live this weekend. Looking ahead though, if the stars line up over Russia High School next week, followers could logistically watch both teams in person on Saturday, November 1st at the state cross country meet and regional volleyball finals. Alright and enough, we'll put away our Fish Report crystal ball for now.

This season the boys captured their first SCAL cross country championship since 2014

School record holder Samuel Phlipot

If you're heading down to Troy, be prepared for an early Halloween treat. In the D-IV boys race, a total of 19 teams and 38 individuals will be competing for just five team and 10 individual qualifiers to state. For clarification on the individuals spots, those runners who finish in the top 10 positions AFTER removing team qualifiers will advance. 

Last Saturday two district finals were ran in southwest Ohio. In the race at Cedarville University, Russia edged the hometown Cedarville Indians by just two points for the championship. Fourth year head coach Zach Bell's Raiders were led by junior Samuel Phlipot in 2nd-place with a time of 16:21. Earlier this season Phlipot broke the school 5K record with a 15:54, which topped 2011 alumni Luke Pohlman's old record of 15:58. On Phlipot's heels at the district race was freshman teammate Paxson Bixler in 3rd-place with a 16:26. Russia's entire roster of seven runners this Saturday will all be underclassmen. Junior Owen Sargent, sophomore Evan Smith and junior Eli Schmitmeyer were the Raider's third, fourth and fifth runners respectively last weekend. Those three scorers have also recorded personal records in the past two weeks. Rounding out the top seven are junior Keagan Baldridge and sophomore Abe Hoehne. 

At last weekends other D-IV southwest district race down at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester, #32-ranked Miami Valley Christian Academy won their championship with far slower times than the course in Cedarville. 

Russia hasn't captured a boys regional championship since 2009, when the program won the title for the third year in a row. The hope this year is a return to those glory days. A pre-race tailgate for Raider fans will be hosted by parents on Saturday at 7:00am. Breakfast on the grill will begin the party at Troy City Park by the shelter house across the street from Hobart Arena. 

Cross Country links: Results ~ Schedule ~ Course Map ~ Tickets

The Lady Raiders shared a SCAL championship this season with a 10-2 record

Seniors Chapman, Hoehne & Phlipot

Russia folks choosing to caravan to Fairborn High School on Saturday will witness Raider volleyball tradition. The program, led by 10-year head coach Aaron Watkins, has rattled off an amazing eight consecutive district championships dating back to 2017. Watkins is the school's all-time winningest coach with 176 career victories, a record he achieved back in 2021 when he surpassed former Raiders coach Joan Herron who had 107 wins in 9 seasons.

The tournament trail for Russia has been paved with rose petals so far, winning easy matches over Calvary Christian and Yellow Springs. However, the district finals has a thorny history for teams looking ahead. The Raiders will depend on leadership from all-league senior libero Kourtney Phlipot, along with all-league juniors Celeste Borchers and Hazel Francis. Francis was runner-up in voting for top player in Shelby County Athletic League, and back in September tied a school record for blocks with 10. She now shares that record with 2015 alum Kylie Wilson. Other key Raiders include starting seniors Claudia Hoehne and setter Izzi Chapman, juniors Violet Armstrong, Ava Gibson and Lily Francis, along with all-league sophomore starter Aryana Cordonnier and freshman starter Ruby Francis. 

Fish Report believes the odds are favorable for Coach Watkin's 177th win and a ninth title as Russia (18-6) will take on New Miami (17-5). The Vikings beat Felicity Franklin on Thursday. They also won the Miami Valley Conference White Division this season with a perfect 8-0 record under fourth year head coach Shalei McColm. Their top player is four-year starter Kadie Davidson (No. 5) who led the MVC with 100 service aces.

Only one thing is certain prior to Saturday's match. The winner of Russia versus New Miami will get a buzzsaw in the regional semifinals. That would be Northwest District champion and state-ranked #2 Leipsic. The Lady Vikes (24-1) topped Hardin Northern up in Findlay on Wednesday and will certainly be in attendance on Saturday to scout their next opponent. That regional opener is scheduled for next  Thursday at 6:00pm at Northmont High School.

Sounds like super Saturday on tap. Enjoy the day Raider fans.

Volleyball links: Bracket ~ Tickets

The 2017 team began Russia's current streak of eight straight district championships. Bottom - Lexi Monnin, Whitney Pleiman and Kendall Monnin. Middle - Alana Gariety, Jenna Cordonnier, Morgan Wenrick and Faith Apple. Top - Ashley Scott, Cameo Wilson, Laurissa Poling, Samantha Gaerke and Claudia Counts.