Phillips, Liplin compete well at state cross country meet
Nov. 5—Two Ashtabula County runners completed their seasons on Saturday at the Ohio High School Athletic Association cross country championships in the Columbus area.
Emma Phillips, a freshman from Saint John, and Tammy Liplin, a senior from Edgewood, were in different races but ended their season finishing well at the biggest competition of the year.
Phillips ran in the Division III race earning a 25th-place finish in a time of 19:17 on the 3.1-mile course in Obetz.
"The goal going in was top 30 to earn All-Ohio honors," Heralds coach Jeremy Dunn said. "There were a few different predictions that had her anywhere from mid-20s to low 30s. Time-wise, we figured it to be her third-best time of the season.
"Standing at the staring line was definitely a special moment for me as a coach. With Emma being a freshman and having a talented team that will only get better, I'm hoping this is the first of many appearances to the state meet. I think Emma is definitely hungry to improve on her performance next year."
Rebecca Geiss, a Heartland Christian sophomore, won the state title with 17:55.0.
Phillips said she is definitely excited about next season.
"I feel like it was the best I could have done this year but want to do better in the future," she said.
Dunn said four of Phillips' teammates made the trip to Obetz with her to cheer her on.
"It was definitely a great experience for everyone involved. Everyone is so proud of Emma. She has a community of support behind and her," Dunn said.
Edgewood coach Steve Hill said he was happy with Liplin's 36th-place finish in a time of 19:27 in the Division II meet.
"Tammy had a great season this year. She finished 31 places better than last year," Hill said. Liplin did not run cross country in junior high school or her freshman year, Hill said.
He said it was a great accomplishment to run at the state meet during two of her three seasons.
"She had hoped to finish better, but she didn't get out as fast as she needed to," Hill said.
He said she also had trouble with a bloody nose and may have been dehydrated.
"She has come along way," Hill said.
He said Liplin hopes to run in college.
"She is going to start looking at colleges now that cross country is over," Hill said.
Liplin reflected on her last cross country race for the Warriors.
"The weather was a little warmer than I would of liked, but I'm glad I ran faster and got a better place than I did last year," she said. "My time as an Edgewood cross country runner was fun, but it went fast."
Woodridge senior Reese Reaman won the D-II girls state title with a time of 17:52.30.
