Happy in cross country, Stow's Jayla Atkinson smiles her way into OHSAA postseason
STOW — Jayla Atkinson is right where she wants to be.
The Stow-Munroe Falls senior had a smile on her face after winning the Stow Bulldog Invitational Saturday at Silver Springs Park.
Stow coach Aaron Morris said the defending state champion in the 800 meters is embracing the longer distances.
"I knew she likes the shorter stuff better than the longer stuff," he said. "Mentally, it was harder for her get up for a longer races. This year, she's had a much different attitude and it's really paying off for her."
Proof of that came Sept. 24 when Atkinson set a school record for a 5K at Madison's U Wanna Come Back meet, winning in 18:06.41 to break the mark of 18:14 set by Abby Koch in 2008.
"The course was really flat, it was good conditions and, overall, I just felt really confident about the race," Atkinson said. "That helped me with my time"
"That time put her right up there among the fastest in Ohio this year," Morris said. "We're looking forward to seeing what she can do."
Koch was at the Bulldog Invitational and said, "It was about time for my record to be retired." She added she thinks Atkinson could be set for a huge postseason.
"I think she's going to do great," Koch said. "The times have already looked good for this season already."
On Saturday, Atkinson turned the Bulldog Invitational into a one-woman race. She opened a huge lead in the first 1,000 meters and never let up.
"I just wanted to get out fast, get a good position and just stay with same pace the whole race," Atkinson said. "I'm not too nervous when I come here because I know what to expect."
"That's how she's been running the last couple of weeks," Morris said. "She's been chasing some school records so, yes, we told her she was going to have to go out and do it herself if she was going to get that record."
Although Atkinson just missed breaking the course record at Silver Springs, her time of 18:39.17 dominated the field. Aurora's Sydney Langell finished runner-up in 20:02.99.
"I tried to stay with her, but then she blasted away," Langell said.
Hudson's Katie Will knows Atkinson well, having finished second to her at last year's Suburban League meet. Coming back from tendinitis, Will placed third in 20:19.81 at Stow, admitting she was taking it easy in her first race back.
"It's crazy how she can keep that pace up so long by herself up there," Will said of Atkinson. "My goal is to stick with her as long as a I can and we'll just see how things go."
Aurora won the girls team race with 51 points, while Stow (73) edged Hudson (78) for second place.
In the boys race, Hudson dominated with a one-two-three finish. Bradley Schuster won in 16:14.17, followed by George Barker (16:18.67) and Crew McDaniel (16:22.80).
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow's Jayla Atkinson looks relaxed entering cross country postseason
