Reese Reaman wins gold as Woodridge cross country sweep OHSAA state runner-up trophies
OBETZ — Chasing history has become commonplace for Woodridge cross country at the state meet.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs had a shot to equal their 2016 achievement of winning both team titles in Division II.
Woodridge didn't equal that goal, but none of the Bulldogs complained.
Senior Reese Reaman won the Division II girls individual title Saturday at Fortress Obetz, leading the Bulldogs to a runner-up finish in the team race with 157 points. Minerva won the state title with 144 points.
In the Division II boys team race, Marlington repeated as champions with 108 points. Woodridge was second with 123 points to finish runner-up to the Dukes for the second time in three years.
"I think we were probably the second-best team in the state and the kids performed well," said Woodridge coach Jeff Howard. "To get on the podium with both teams is exciting, and Reese, I'm just happier than heck for her."
Reaman ran a near perfect race to win in 17:52.21, becoming the first Woodridge girl since Kate Sabino in 1996 to win an individual title.
"In this race, I really didn't have a strategy," Reaman said. "It feels amazing. I'm still in disbelief."
Reaman ran behind Athens' Sophia Szolosi and Waynesville's Samantha Erbach in the first two miles.
"Once the girl from Waynesville started falling back, that's when I made my move," Reaman said. "It happened as we were going out in the second loop, about a mile from the finish."
"The Waynesville girl beat her on the track and the Athens girls has been good all year," Howard said. "We knew we would have to deal with them. There was a lot of talent in the front of that race. Winning it was no joke."
Reaman was one of three Bulldog girls to finish on the podium.
Junior Marissa Boone finished 18th in 19:05.24 to claim her second straight All-Ohio place, while freshman Lola Mullen was 19th in 19:06.29.
"We just worked together and tried to push," Boone said. "We run faster when we run together. I'm super happy and just proud of everybody."
Woodridge cross country's Sam Su runs PR at OHSAA state meet
In the boys race, senior Sam Su closed his career with a third-place finish in a personal-record 15.41.29.
Su ran down numerous runners in the final two miles and edged Sheridan's Tate Ruthers for third at the wire.
Su knew catching champion Andrew Walton (15:00.17) of Fairfield Union and runner-up Colin Cernasky (15:21.9) of Marlington was unrealistic.
"I came in and knew that, unless something crazy happened, third was first in my book," Su said. "I didn't feel great off the bat, but I just kept fighting. The last 800 was there and I just said 'All right, let's race.'"
Woodridge also saw Atticus Sloan earn All-Ohio honors in his first state meet. He finished 28th in 16:20.2.
Howard said the fight with Marlington was expected after Woodridge beat the Dukes for the regional title last week.
"Marlington has been the best team all year when they've been healthy and they got healthy at the right time," Howard said. "They ran well, so they deserve it. I think that's three in a row for them, so that's big."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Woodridge cross country claims OHSAA boys, girls state runner-up
