'He ran the race of his life': Sheridan's Tate Ruthers shines at regional meet

PICKERINGTON — Sheridan's cross country squadron saved its best for the perfect time.

With a berth in the Division II state meet at stake, the Generals leaned on another strong showing from Tate Ruthers to earn a third-place finish on Saturday at the Pickerington North regional.

The top six teams and 24 individuals from nonqualifying teams advanced to next Saturday's state event at Fortress Obetz.

Favorable conditions help times

It was cool, cloudy and dry in northern Fairfield County on Saturday, which meant chances were favorable of strong times being posted.

That's precisely what happened, at least with Sheridan. Ruthers clocked at 15:34.8 and was runner-up; seniors John Skinner and Simon Conrad 14th (16:13.5) and 16th (16:18.5), respectively.

Newcomer Hudson Wilson was 53rd (17:13.0), Hunter Adams 76th (17:34.5) and sophomore Alec Lackey 80th (17:38.9).

Ruthers' time was the second-best recorded in program history, an impressive feat considering the Generals' longstanding history of state qualifiers.

Only four runners broke 16 minutes. Ruthers' time was 14 seconds better than third-place Nathan Phillips, of Fairfield Union.

"The course conditioning and weather were perfect," Ruthers said. "The only semi-muddy spot was a little spot in the woods. So with all of that it helped everyone run fast. A lot of runners (ran personal records) today."

Ruthers, a junior, said he was "in shock" with excitement after seeing his time after the race. Only junior Andrew Walton, from nearby Fairfield Union, bettered his time.

Walton is expected to challenge for a state title next weekend.

"God has just blessed me with this ability and I wouldn’t be anywhere without him," Ruthers said. "Knowing Sheridan has had some elite runners in the past, it makes me appreciate all the hard work I’ve put into this sport and to be around this great company of Sheridan runners."

Sheridan coach J.D. Walters said Ruthers and others ran smart races. In Ruthers' case, he was happy to see him rebound after not being at his best at the district race.

"Tate ran the best race of his life — he made a nice move in the second mile," Walters said. "He got to the front and was able to stay there."

He's hoping for the momentum to carry over into the weekend for all of his runners, although he said it's clear there is a gap between the challengers and the next in line.

Ruthers, he feels, would need to make up some 40 seconds in a week to have a chance. He'd like to see the team finish second among the teams in its regional at Obetz.

"Right now we have front runners with a chance to make All-Ohio," Walters said. "Our freshman (Judson Wilson) has been running really well all year. Hunter Adams just started running a month ago at Backwoods Fest."

Morgan sophomore Clark Smith was 56th (17:19.2) and John Glenn's Caiden Lake 85th (17:43.3); Isaac Duran was 119th (18:16.7), Ethan Zell 132nd (18:28.4), Ian Davis 141st (18:43.7) and Kaid Ritchey 148th (18:56.7) for the Muskies. Cambridge's Nicholas Hatfield was 112th (18:08), Aydan Salmon from Ridgewood was 130th (18:27) and Ryan Morris was 135th (18:30.0) for Philo.

Fairfield Union won with 47, followed by Bexley (124), Sheridan (127), Plain City Jonathan Alder (127), Minerva (146) and Granville (171).

Glanemann leads Sheridan girls

Sheridan's Sheriden Glanemann was 11th of 160 runners in the girls race to earn a state berth, but the Generals missed as a team after placing eighth. John Glenn was 10th.

John Glenn's Ashlynn Kuklica also qualified with a 12th place finish, clocking just seven seconds behind Glanemann at 19:28.0.

Nora Covey as 28th (20:10.0), Grace Householder 38th (20:33.0), Jenna Stewart 69th (21:32.0) and Reese Theisen 115th (22:40.4) for Sheridan, which ran the third fastest team time in program history.

Brea Wilfong was 42nd (20:46.9), Laurie Baughman 85th (21:50) and Mackenzie Welch 89th (21:53.1) for John Glenn. Courtney Barnhart was 122nd (22:59.1) and Breonna Cosgrave 125th (23:02.8).

Meadowbrook's Karrah Singleton was 16th (19:35.3), Marabelle Thornberry 40th (20:49.9) and Taylor Forbes 49th (20:57.1). The Colts were seventh in the team standings.

West Muskingum's Ayla Mowery also came in 84th (21:49).

Minerva won the team event with 68, ahead of Athens (98), Plain City Jonathan Alder (106) and Fairfield Union (137).

In Division III, Crooksville's Hannah Sheets was 55th of 153 runners in the regional at Pickerington, clocking at 21:34. Grace Sheets was 110th in 23:38.2

Ridgewood's Kenzie Bice was six spots short of advancing in 30th (20:47) and teammate Alaina Swiney was 68th (21:51).

Grandview Heights won with 113, followed by Milford Center Fairbanks (134), Columbus School for Girls (139) and Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley (143).

Jacob Agin of West M competed in the boys race, coming in 62nd (17:56).

In Division I, Tri-Valley's Taylor Crozier was 11 spots from advancing, finishing 31st (19:27) in the girls race.

sblackbu@gannett.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Tate Ruthers runs 'race of his life' for Sheridan at regional meet