'We're here to achieve things': Rittman girls XC heads into postseason with big goals
Over the past two seasons, Rittman's girls cross country team has been dominating the middle-school ranks.
And now, they've carried that success to the next level.
On the heels of its Wayne County Athletic League crown this past weekend, Rittman enters the Lorain Division III District with a whole lot of momentum.
"It feels really good, because we haven't had a cross country team for very long so it's nice to know that Rittman is putting itself out there," sophomore Brooke Bowlby said. "People can see that we're here to achieve things."
Bowlby is one of several underclassman excelling for Rittman, along with freshman Annabelle Snyder, Ryver Ramsier and Adyson Fosen and Selah Amos — each of whom are among the 20-fastest times in the area.
The D-III girls meet will be loaded with top locals as All-Ohioans Smithville's Kaitlyn Carr and Loudonville's Tess Shultz come into Saturday's meet with the top marks in the field, while on the boys side Rittman's Luke Snyder has come close to breaking the 15-minute mark and should lead the pack, along with Northwestern's Kade Tegtmeier.
A host of other runners and teams across the state's three divisions will be out for regional berths this weekend.
Here’s a look at district meets involving area teams:
DIVISION I
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. (girls), 2:15 (boys)
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider Street NE, Canton, 44721)
AREA TEAM: Wooster. OTHERS: Alliance (boys), Archbishop Hoban (boys), Austintown Fitch, Barberton, Boardman, Canfield (boys), Canton McKinley, Cuyahoga Falls, Dover, Ellet, Firestone, Garfield, GlenOak, Green, Hoover, Hudson, Jackson, Kent Roosevelt, Lake, Louisville, New Philadelphia, Massillon, Massillon Perry, Stow, Wadsworth, Walsh Jesuit
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — Wooster has a good chance of earning of the eight regional team bids up for grabs, but will need a little more of that pack running that has been its staple this fall. Owen Buchholz has emerged as a strong No. 1 for the Generals, with teammates Oliver Miller and Cole Kuzma not too far behind. Based on top times from the season, Wooster, Canfield and Dover are likely to compete for that final spot. Massillon Jackson is the team the beat overall, paced by junior Eli Ilg (15:03). Girls — Like the boys race, the girls team battle will also be a close one. Wooster's Mattie Dunlap enters with the 22nd-fastest time in the field, which would place in among individual qualifiers for the regional, but the team will need to put together some season-best marks to move on as a group.
AT STAKE: Top eight boys teams and nine girls teams, along with top 32 boys individuals and top 36 girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Boardman.
DIVISION II
Cambridge District
WHEN: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (girls), 12:15 p.m. (boys)
WHERE: Cambridge (1401 Deer Path Drive, Cambridge, 43725)
AREA TEAM: West Holmes. OTHERS: Barnesville (girls), Beaver, Buckeye Local (boys), Cambridge, Carrollton, Claymont, East Liverpool, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Martins Ferry (girls), Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Morgan, Philo, Ridgewood (boys), River View, Sandy Valley (boys), St. Clairsville, Steubenville, Union Local, West Muskingum (girls)
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — Both West Holmes' Jacob Miller and Hunter Uptain come into this meet among the 11 runners that have broken 17 minutes this fall. That tandem, combined with a strong pack of Braydyn Lemon, Owen Neville and Reid Chaney, should be more than enough to help the Knights secure a regional spot next week in Pickerington. Girls — While Minerva could see all five of their scoring runners in the top-10, West Holmes should be right behind them in the team race. Junior Noelle Smith will look to pace herself off of those Minerva runners as the entire field is expected to chase Kali Wallace of Claymont. Alexis Wagers should be right behind Smith, along with a pack that consists of Lexy Starner, Katherine Kaster and Autumn Conner.
AT STAKE: Top six boys and girls teams, along with top 24 boys and girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Pickerington North.
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (girls), 12:15 p.m. (boys)
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider Street NE, Canton, 44721)
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa (girls), Tuslaw (girls). OTHERS: Alliance (girls), Archbishop Hoban (girls), Canfield (girls), Canton South, Coventry, East, Fairless, Field, Girard, Hubbard, Manchester, Marlington, Northwest, Norton, Poland, Ravenna, Salem, Southeast (girls), South Range (boys), Springfield, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Struthers, Tallmadge, West Branch
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys —No local teams will take part in this race, but state power Marlington is a heavy favorite to win another district title. Colin Cernansky, the defending D-II state champ, is the lone runner in the field to break 15 minutes and is expected to be chased by teammate Michael Nicholls. Girls —A battle between Salem and Tallmadge is expected to highlight this meet with the Chipps and Mustangs. Tuslaw has been led this season by Adriana Pudloski and Hailey Wood, both have been below 22 minutes. With just 32 individuals advancing to regionals, however, some season-best marks will move on.
AT STAKE: Top six boys teams and eight girls teams, along with top 24 boys individuals and top 32 girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Boardman.
Lorain District
WHEN: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (girls), 12:15 p.m. (boys)
WHERE: Lorain County Community College (1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria, 44035)
AREA TEAMS: Norwayne (boys), Orrville (boys), Smithville (boys), Triway (boys). OTHERS: Bay, Beachwood (boys), Brookside, Buckeye (girls), Campus International (girls), Cleveland Central Catholic, Clearview, Cloverleaf, CVCA, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Firelands, Hathaway Brown (girls), Holy Name, Keystone, Lutheran West, Padua, St. Martin de Porres (girls), Streetsboro, Woodridge
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — In a meet loaded with talent from both Woodridge and Bay, local harriers will look to grab one of the individual spots left to keep their postseason dreams alive. Owen Lacy of Orrville is the fastest area runner in the field, just a second ahead of Norwayne's Tripp Wingate, while Romagn Wingate (Norwayne) and Joey Clabaugh (Smithville) are also in strong contention to snag a regional berth in a field that includes four runners that have broken 16 minutes this fall, led by Bay's Michael Hanselman (15:30.60). Girls — There are no area teams in this portion of the meet, but Woodridge is a heavy favorite to repeat as champs as senior Reese Reaman is among the fastest runners in the state with a season-best 17:38.20.
AT STAKE: Top seven boys teams and six girls teams, along with top 28 boys individuals and top 24 girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Boardman.
DIVISION III
Cambridge District
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. (girls), 10:45 (boys)
WHERE: Cambridge (1401 Deer Path Drive, Cambridge, 43725)
AREA TEAM: Hiland. OTHERS: Barnesville (boys), Bellaire, Bridgeport, Buckeye Local (girls), Buckeye Trail, Caldwell, Catholic Central, Fort Frye, Garaway, Malvern, Martins Ferry (boys), Newcomerstown, Ridgewood (girls), River, Sandy Valley (girls), Shadyside, Shenandoah, St. John Central Academy, Strasburg-Franklin, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Tuscarawas Valley, West Muskingum (boys)
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — On the heels of a season-best 19:40.90 at the IVC Championships, Hiland's Nathan Young is out for one of those regional berths up for grabs. It won't be easy, however, with a dominant team from Tusky Valley — led by Kapper Jake — and a host of runners under 18 minutes that could lock-up the limited spots available. Girls — The team race in this meet couldn't be closer as Tusky Valley, Sandy Valley and Fort Frye all find themselves with a legitimate shot at the crown. Freshman Georgianna Miller is the lone Hiland runner competing.
AT STAKE: Top four boys and girls teams, along with top 16 boys and girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Pickerington North.
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. (girls), 10:45 p.m. (boys)
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider Street NE, Canton, 44721)
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa (boys), Tuslaw (boys). OTHERS: Academy of Urban Scholars, Canton Central Catholic, Cardinal Mooney, Columbiana, David Anderson (boys), East Canton, East Palestine, Heartland Christian, Jackson-Milton, Lake Center Christian, Lowellville, Mogadore, Rootstown, Sebring, Southeast (boys), South Range (girls), Southern Local. Springfield, St. Thomas Aquinas (girls), United, Waterloo, Western Reserve
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — With some strength at the top of its lineup, Chippewa could make a serious run for a district title. Thanks to 1-2 punch of Joshua Hennis and Hunter Senn, both of whom have broken 18 minutes this fall, the Chipps find themselves in a team race that includes projected favorite Canton C.C., Mogadore and Jackson-Milton. Tuslaw's Cash Iams, Steve Swartz and Logan Eberhardt are all among a host of individuals in the 18-minute range vying for one of the individual regional spots. Girls — None of the area squads will take part in this race, which is expected to be paced by Heartland Christian sophomore Rebecca Geiss. Mogadore and East Canton are among those competing for the team title.
AT STAKE: Top five boys teams and four girls teams, along with top 20 boys individuals and top 16 girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Boardman.
Lorain District
WHEN: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (girls), 10:15 (boys)
WHERE: Lorain County Community College (1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria, 44035)
AREA TEAMS: Central Christian, Dalton, Hillsdale (boys), Loudonville, Northwestern, Norwayne (girls), Orrville (girls), Rittman, Smithville (girls), Triway (girls), Waynedale. OTHERS: Beachwood (girls), Black River, Campus International (boys), Columbia, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Lake Ridge, Laurel (girls), Mapleton, Medina Christian (boys), Oberlin, Open Door, St. Martin de Porres (boys), Wellington
WHAT TO WATCH: Boys — Rittman's Luke Snyder, the reigning state runner-up, has been impressive this season. His personal-record 15:02.30 is currently the seventh-fastest time in the state among all three divisions and he is a heavy favorite to repeat as district champ. Kade Tegtmeier of Northwestern and Jackson Varner of Waynedale will do their best to keep Snyder within reach as both look to make repeat trips to the state meet. Waynedale, fresh off of its WCAL team title, will look to knock off defending champ Black River, while Rittman and Dalton should also be in contention to advance as a team. Girls — After battling illness over the past couple weeks, Smithville's Kaitlyn Carr made a triumphant return last weekend to capture her first county championships. Her career-best 18:01.80 is nearly 16 seconds faster than Loudonville's Tess Shultz as the two are expected to lead the way. Rittman's balanced lineup, led by Annabelle Snyder and Brooke Bowlbly has the Indians eyeing a team title, while Dalton, Triway and Norwayne could help sweep the four district spots. Look for Lillith Dreibelbis (Norwayne), Ryver Ramsier (Rittman), Emberlynn Nolt (Dalton) and Maryn Erdman (Smithville) to also crack the top 10 individually.
AT STAKE: Top four boys and girls teams, along with top 16 boys and girls individuals advance to next week's regional meet, Oct. 28, at Boardman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Cross Country: previewing the Wayne/Holmes area district meets
