GlenOak boys and girls cross country teams off to a fast start in 2023

PLAIN TWP. — Late summer warmth burned off the morning fog before Saturday's GlenOak Golden Eagle Cross Country Invitational.

It created a clearer picture as the high school varsity races kicked things off. An initial reaction? The home team is pretty good.

The Golden Eagles won the girls team title and came in fourth in the boys race. It was a successful start against teams GlenOak hopes to face later in the season.

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Girls high school cross country: 15 Stark County runners to watch during the 2023 season

"You have Olentangy Orange coming up from the Columbus area," girls head coach Scott Ferrell said. "You have Hudson, a powerhouse in the state, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Medina ... it's an outstanding field.

"We're very happy with where we started."

GlenOak's girls finished 72 points ahead of runner-up Orange. Nora Salem came in eighth overall to lead five Golden Eagles in the top 25.

"We have been working really hard this summer," Salem said. "We have been putting in many hours, many miles. I'm very proud and super happy to take a home invite win."

This team title will likely put the Golden Eagles on a few radars. They did not qualify for last year's state meet and were not mentioned in the 2023 Division I preseason state coaches poll.

Heading into the meet, Ferrell honestly did not think a team title was possible.

"I was anxious to see how we matched up against those powerhouses," Ferrell said. "We did a really, really nice job."

Salem is a senior who Ferrell says brings steadiness to the team. "Everyone who feeds off her calm energy," he says.

The Golden Eagles also return sophomore Panagiota Tzouloufis, junior Sophia Ngetich and senior Jada Ames. Tzouloufis emerged as one of GlenOak's top runners as a freshman last season.

Freshman Marissa Kromi had a big impact for the Golden Eagles on Saturday. In her high school varsity race, she came in 15th.

"It's great training with her," Salem said. "She does soccer and cross country, and I'm really happy we have her as part of our team. She's a great a tradition."

BOYS HIGH SCHOOL COUNTRY: Boys high school cross country: 15 Stark County runners to watch during the 2023 season

After graduating NCAA Division I recruits Tommy Rice (Tennessee) and Tesfaye Young (Toledo), the GlenOak boys are not slowing down.

Canaan Sommers came in eighth to lead the Golden Eagles on Saturday. Sean Lynch finished 19th, Ryan Bridenthal came in 23rd, Andrew Harold was 25th and Brandon Harper was 32nd.

As freshmen last season, Sommers and Lynch ran at the state meet with Rice and Young.

"They worked so hard and were an example to follow," Sommers said. "They gave it all in every race and every workout. They just got better every day."

Sommers hopes he and his teammates can make Rice and Young proud from afar.

"I think we can do great things," Sommers said. "Just because we lost two front runners doesn't mean we can't make a great pack. We just have to keep that pack moving up and be successful in the big meets when it comes to postseason."

Other young runners were heard from in the girls race.

Louisville's Kylah Meyer was the top area finisher. She came in third in 19:36.10, just over 12 seconds ahead of Northwest's Madelyn Begert. Meyer and Begert are both sophomores.

Meyer led on the first trip through the stadium. She ran despite nursing a sore hip that she iced after the race.

"I started out too fast," Meyer admitted.

The Golden Eagle Invitational was Meyer's introduction to high school cross country last season. She went on to finish 37th at state as a freshman.

"This definitely shows I can do the tougher courses at the start of the season," Meyer said. "I know there will be easier courses, but it's good to start with this and get experience with hills and fields."

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

On X: @mpopovichREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: GlenOak cross country teams have successful start in opening meet