Ford produces another sub-16 performance on Champions Park course, with Hartman improving from Oct. 3 effort at same venue for Jim Murray Memorial Invitational as both Ohio standouts earn impressive wins in Springfield

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Grace Hartman, a junior at Oakwood High and the reigning Ohio Division 2 state champion, won the girls championship race Saturday at the T-Mobile Midwest Challenge XC Meet at the Champions Park course in Springfield, Ohio.

Hartman covered the 5-kilometer layout in 18 minutes, 8.7 seconds, improving on her Oct. 3 performance of 18:12.9 at the same venue for the Jim Murray Memorial Invitational.

It was the first race for Hartman since finishing 20th in the girls championship race Nov. 15 in 18:13.3 on the 5-kilometer layout at the LaVern Gibson course in Terre Haute, Ind., at the XC Town USA Meet of Champions, presented by The Garrett Companies.

RESULTS

Takumi Ford, a senior at Bellbrook High in Ohio, challenged his own course record, but just missed lowering his all-time mark at the Champions Park course, clocking 15:55.5 to dominate the boys championship race.

Ford ran 15:52 at Jim Murray to win by more than a minute. Although Saturday’s race was more competitive, Ford was still able to separate himself from the pack and establish a 15-second lead at the 2-mile mark in his first competition since placing third Nov. 7 at the Ohio Division 1 state final.

Evan Jarold, a junior at Brunswick Senior in Ohio, was second behind Ford in 16:25.2. Dylan Lauck, a junior at West Liberty Salem in Ohio, ran 16:29 for third and his teammate, fellow junior Tate Yoder, secured seventh in 16:55.3.

Hayden Schmidt, a junior at Anna High in Ohio, took fourth in 16:41 and Gavin Lammers, a senior at Bowling Green High in Ohio, finished fifth in 16:45.2. Freshman Blake Rodgers of Belpre High in Ohio  was sixth in 16:49.3.

Brooke Edwardson, a senior at Kimberly High in Wisconsin, was second in the girls race in 18:23.8.

Edwardson, a Temple signee, used a strong surge in the final mile to surpass sophomore Katie Clute of Olmstead Falls High in Ohio.

Clute clocked 18:29.1 and junior teammate Lillie Katsaras took fifth in 19:17.3. Hannah Moulton, a senior teammate of Hartman at Oakwood, was fourth in 19:07.7.