District XC Preview: Jaylee Wingate, Zeke Galbraith among favorites to win
In the midst of an historic season, it would be easy for a runner to relax.
Not Jaylee Wingate.
The Norwayne senior, who became the area’s all-time 5K leader earlier this month and has the third-fastest time currently in the state across all three divisions, isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.
“Going into the postseason undefeated is kind of nerve-racking, but at the same time it gives me confidence,” the Tennessee commit said. “I can't rest on my laurels and can't get cocky. Confidence is key, but I can't be overly confident to the point that I forget everything. I need to stay on point and treat this almost like the beginning of the season.”
Wingate enters today’s Division III Lorain District a perfect 7-for-7 on the season and headlines a strong group of locals all eager to advance to next weekend’s regional meet.
Here’s a look at the districts meets involving area teams:
DIVISION I
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday; 1:30 p.m. (boys), 2:15 (girls)
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider St. NE, Canton)
AREA TEAM: Wooster OTHERS: Alliance (boys), Akron Hoban (boys), Austintown Fitch, Barberton, Boardman, Canfield (boys), Canton McKinley, Cuyahoga Falls, Dover, Akron Ellet, Akron Firestone, GlenOak, Green, Hoover, Hudson, Jackson, Kenmore-Garfield (boys), Kent Roosevelt, Lake, Louisville, Massillon, New Philadelphia, Perry, Stow, Wadsworth, Walsh Jesuit
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Tommy Rice (GlenOak), Tesfaye Young (GlenOak), Eli Ilg (Jackson), Elliot Zuckett (Jackson), David D’Altorio (Boardman), Marcus Adelman (New Phila), Blake Baker (Canfield), Spiro Papas (Green) Girls — Daniela Scheffler (Lake), Jayla Atkinson (Stow), Kailey Zagst (Jackson), Kylah Meyer (Louisville), Nora Salem (GlenOak), Lauren Bero (Boardman), Katie Will (Hudson), Chloe Dostal (Perry)
PREVIEW: A week after facing one another in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, Wooster’s Ethan Keating and New Philadelphia’s Marcus Adelman will square off once again as they look to claim regional spots. Keating, who was two spots behind Adelman in a thrilling last weekend on his home course, is out for his second straight regional appearance and has quite an efficient season with three top-five finishes, including a personal-record 15:51 earlier this month. The Generals are also in position for a team berth, as Luke Hootman, Owen Buchholz, Cole Kuzma and Gabe Thompson are all sub-17-minute runners. Wooster’s girls' team has a strong shot at competing for the district championship as the team has three runners in the top 15 times coming in. Audrey Miller, Gabriella Signorino and Mattie Dunlap each have clocked times in the mid-19s and been on a tear in recent weeks. Combine that with Olivia Hiner, who is closing in on 20 minutes, and the Generals could have enough to take down Federal League powers like Jackson and GlenOak.
AT STAKE: Top eight teams and 32 individuals in the boys meet and top nine teams and 36 individuals in the girls race advance to the Boardman Regional on Oct. 29.
DIVISION II
Cambridge District
WHEN: Saturday; 11:45 a.m. (boys), 1:15 p.m. (girls)
WHERE: Cambridge High School (1401 Deer Path Drive, Cambridge)
AREA TEAM: West Holmes OTHERS: Barnesville (girls), Beaver, Buckeye Local, Cambridge, Carrollton, Claymont, East Liverpool, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Morgan, Philo, Ridgewood (boys), River View, Sandy Valley (boys), St Clairsville, Steubenville, Union Local, West Muskingum (girls)
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Zeke Galbraith (West Holmes), Grasyn Retting (Minerva), Ben Shields (St. Clairsville), Kendell West (Meadowbrook), Xander Heil (Indian Valley), Mason Steele (Minerva), Kody Clendenning (John Glenn) Girls — Hera Hoffee (Minerva), Noelle Smith (West Holmes), Caitlyn Hopple (Minerva), Kayla Crissman (Minerva), Hannah Ison (Minerva), Lexy Starner (West Holmes), Annabell Crissman (Minerva)
PREVIEW: Another week, another milestone for Zeke Galbraith. The West Holmes senior claimed his first OCC championship in thrilling fashion, holding off Marcus Adelman of New Philadelphia by less than two seconds. This week, however, the All-Ohioan comes in as a strong favorite to win the district as he’s the lone runner in the field to have broken 16 minutes this year. Both Grasyn Rettig of Minerva and Ben Shields of St. Clairsville will do their best to stay on the heels of Galbraith. While advancing to regionals for the third time in his career will be nice, Galbraith could have company as the Knights are projected to finish second overall. A big reason for that is the emergence of Jacob Miller and a strong pack of Braydyn Lemon, Hunter Uptain and Reid Chaney. Speaking of pack running, West Holmes’ girls' squad have also used that as its MO. Noelle Smith has been the leader and comes in with the second-fastest time in the district, but she isn’t alone as Lexy Starner isn’t too far behind. Alexis Wagers, Zora Starner and Carolyn Miller are also within seconds of each other.
AT STAKE: Top six teams and 24 individuals in the boys meet and top eight teams and 32 individuals in the girls race advance to the Pickerington Regional on Oct. 29.
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday; 11:30 a.m. (boys), 12:15 p.m. (girls)
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider St. NE, Canton)
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa (girls), Tuslaw (girls) OTHERS: Alliance (girls), Akron Hoban (girls), Buchtel, Canfield (girls), Canton South, Coventry, Fairless, Field, Girard, Hubbard, Liberty (boys), Manchester, Marlington, Northwest, Norton, Poland, Ravenna, Salem, Southeast (girls), South Range (boys), Springfield, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Struthers, Tallmadge, West Branch
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Colin Cernansky (Marlington), Michael Nicholls (Marlington), Nash Minor (Marlington), Logan Flament (Poland Seminary), Brayden Murray (Hubbard), Peyton Carney (Springfield), Tyson Denison (Coventry), Cohen Boyce (Marlington) Girls — Bella Graham (Marlington), Olivia Kindbom (SVSM), Madelyn Begert (Northwest), Maggie Hall (Salem), Maggie Hopple (Salem), Julia Wheeler (Southeast), Anna Rea (SVSM), Camille Dunifer (SVSM)
PREVIEW: Some of the youth movement in the area will be on display in this meet with a host of freshmen for Chippewa and Tuslaw are eager to make names for themselves in their postseason debuts. Chippewa's Cally West and the Mustangs’ Savannah Gill have been among those top rookies, each breaking the 22-minute plateau earlier this month. Emma Samsa of Chippewa and Hailey Wood of Tuslaw are close to joining the club, as well, as could possibly do it in this fast field. Marlington’s boys' team is a heavy favorite, thanks to the leadership of Colin Cernansky. The junior, who was seventh at the state meet last season, has posted a 15:17.50 this season.
AT STAKE: Top five teams and 20 individuals in the boys meet and top eight teams and 32 individuals in the girls race advance to the Boardman Regional on Oct. 29.
Lorain District
WHEN: Saturday; 11:30 a.m. (boys), 12:15 p.m. (girls)
WHERE: Lorain County Community College (1005 Abbe Rd N, Elyria)
AREA TEAM: Norwayne (boys), Orrville (boys), Smithville (boys), Triway OTHERS: Bay, Beachwood (boys), Benedictine (boys), Brookside, Buckeye (girls), Clearview, Cleveland Central Catholic, Cloverleaf, CVCA, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Firelands, Hathaway Brown (girls), Holy Name, Keystone Lutheran West, Padua, St. Martin DePorres (girls), Streetsboro, Woodridge
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Ben Myers (Fairview), Seth Singer (Woodridge), Michael Hanselman (Bay), Jack Curtis (CVCA), Lucas Mitchell (CVCA), Carter Lee (CVCA) Girls — Reese Reaman (Woodridge), Madison Palmer (Brookside), Maeve Ransom (Bay), Audrey Graham (Buckeye), Marissa Boone (Woodridge), Kayla Ritzman (CVCA)
PREVIEW: The boys' side of this district is loaded with talent from CVCA, Woodridge and Bay, but the door is open for a handful of locals to collect some of the individual spots up for grabs. Orrville’s Josh Rittgers, a regional qualifier last season, is out to make a return trip to Boardman. After his impressive 16:56.50 in his final race on his home course, the senior could be well on his way. Tripp Wingate (Norwayne), Joey Clabaugh (Smithville), Cayden Speicher (Triway) and Beau Polen (Norwayne) are also in the mix. Wingate has been one of the most-improved runners in the area and has the 19th-fastest time in the field and posted sub-18 times in each of his last two races. Clabaugh’s personal-best 17:28 has right on the cusp of a regional berth, with Speicher and Polen just seconds behind.
AT STAKE: Top seven teams and 28 individuals in the boys meet and top six teams and 24 individuals in the girls race advance to the Boardman Regional on Oct. 29.
DIVISION III
Cambridge District
WHEN: Saturday; 11 a.m. (boys), 12:30 p.m. (girls)
WHERE: Cambridge High School (1401 Deer Path Drive, Cambridge).
AREA TEAM: Hiland (boys) OTHERS: Barnesville (boys), Bellaire, Bridgeport, Buckeye Local (girls), Buckeye Trail, Caldwell, Catholic Central (boys), Conotton Valley, Fort Frye, Garaway, Malvern, Martins Ferry (boys), Newcomerstown, River, Sandy Valley (girls), Shadyside, Shenandoah, Strasburg-Franklin, Tuscarawas Central Catholic (boys), Tuscarawas Valley, West Muskingum (boys)
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Conner Starr (Barnesville), Phinn Spindler (Fort Frye), Kapper Jake (Tusky Valley), Blake Miller (Caldwell), Teagan Perkowski (Tusky Valley), Chuck Estadr (Caldwell) Girls — Cadence Waller (Fort Frye), Ava Huck (Fort Frye), Kenzy Beckett (Shadyside), Kenzie Bice (Ridgewood), Casey Russell (Sandy Valley), Kaydence Hoover (Sandy Valley)
PREVIEW: With just 16 regional spots up for grabs, Hiland’s Nathan Young and George Malicky will need another career-best performance to move on. Both Young and Malicky registered personal-record marks this month; Young with a 18:52.40 at the Wayne/Holmes Invite and Malicky clocking in 18:59.90 at last week’s IVC Championships, but will most likely need a run in the low 18s to earn of the at-large bids to Pickerington.
AT STAKE: Top four teams and 16 individuals in the boys and girls meet advance to the Pickerington Regional on Oct. 29.
GlenOak District
WHEN: Saturday; 9:30 a.m. (boys), 10:15 (girls).
WHERE: GlenOak High School (1801 Schneider St. NE, Canton)
AREA TEAMS: Chippewa (boys), Tuslaw (boys) OTHERS: Canton Central Catholic, Cardinal Mooney, Columbiana, David Anderson, East Canton, East Palestine, Heartland Christian, Jackson-Milton, Lake Center Christian, Leetonia, Lowellville, Mogadore, Rootstown, Sebring, Southeast (boys), South Range (girls), Southern, Springfield (boys), St. Thomas Aquinas, United, Waterloo, Western Reserve
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Brylan Holland (East Canton), Kaleb Nastari (United), Jack Swartz (Tuslaw), Luke Vlacovsky (Canton CC), Nathanael Martin (East Canton), Logan Redfern (Southern) Girls — Rebecca Geiss (Heartland Christian), Sophia Yon (Lowellville), Audrey Wade (East Canton), Katie Lane (Mogadore), Rachel Whetstone (Mogadore), Gianna Ritchie (Lake Center Christian)
PREVIEW: A year ago, Tuslaw’s Jack Swartz needed everything he had to claim the final regional berth from this district. The senior comes into this fall’s meet as one of the top runners as one of six individuals in the field to break 17 minutes this season. While Brylan Holland is expected to set a fast face and be well out in front, Swartz might lead the pack behind the East Canton senior as the state qualifier looks to get back to Boardman. Chippewa’s Max Daus has had an impressive sophomore season in the rugged WCAL and, with another mid-17 performance, could find himself with a regional spot. Teammate Joshua Hennis, another sub-18-minute runner, also is in that mix for a top-20 finish as the Chipps have an outside chance of advancing to next week as a team.
AT STAKE: Top five teams and 20 individuals in the boys meet and top eight teams and 32 individuals in the girls race advance to the Boardman Regional on Oct. 29.
Lorain District
WHEN: Saturday; 9:30 a.m. (boys), 10:15 (girls).
WHERE: Lorain County Community College (1005 Abbe Rd N, Elyria)
AREA TEAMS: Central Christian, Dalton, Hillsdale, Loudonville, Norwayne (girls), Northwestern, Orrville (girls), Rittman, Smithville (girls), Triway (girls), Waynedale OTHERS: Beachwood (girls), Black River, Campus International (boys), Columbia, Cuyahoga Hts., Independence, Lake Ridge Academy, Laurel (girls), Mapleton, Oberlin, Open Door, Richmond Hts., Trinity, Wellington
RUNNERS TO WATCH: Boys — Luke Snyder (Rittman), Michael Couture (Open Door), Wyatt Royster (Black River), Kade Tegtmeier (Northwestern), Jackson Varner (Waynedale), Isaik Schoch (Mapleton), Dillon Royster (Black River) Girls — Jaylee Wingate (Norwayne), Pyper Gibson (Rittman), Kaitlyn Carr (Smithville), Annabel Stanley (Norwayne), Clara Sundberg (Waynedale), Merrick Gibson (Rittman)
PREVIEW: One week after making program history, Rittman’s boys will look to add a regional appearance to their season resume. And Rittman is well on its way as Luke Snyder continues his impressive freshman year. Snyder is the lone runner in the field to break 16 minutes with his personal record 15:37.70, ahead of Open Door’s Michael Couture (16:01.30). The team also get strong depth from Devin Bowlby and David Kollin. Northwestern’s Kade Tegtmeier is looking for his second straight regional appearance and has the fourth-fastest time overall. Other veterans, Carson Steiner (Dalton) and Jacob Wakefield (Northwestern) will be out for one of the limited regional spots, along with freshman Jackson Varner (Waynedale). While Wingate is far and away the leader of the girls' pack, several locals will be working for position in the pack behind her. Rittman’s Pyper Gibson and Smithville’s Kaitlyn Carr will be two of those runners eager to one-up each other. Carr beat Gibson in the closing moments of last weekend’s WCAL Championships for runner-up to Wingate. All-Ohioan Annabel Stanley of Norwayne and fellow state qualifiers Clara Sundburg of Waynedale and Merrick Gibson of Rittman also will be in the mix, while Tess Schultz of Loudonville is out for her second consecutive trip to regionals after a breakout season.
AT STAKE: Top four teams and 16 individuals in the boys meet and top five teams and 20 individuals in the girls race advance to the Boardman Regional on Oct. 29.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Cross Country: preview the local district meets
