Marlington All-Ohio distance runner Noah Graham selects Walsh University

While running cross country and track for Marlington High School, Noah Graham earned All-Ohio status in both sports.

As his distance running times decreased as his scholastic career progressed, Graham began attracting attention from several colleges who wanted him to continue running at the next level.

More: Marlington distance runners Noah Graham and Bella Graham following mother's footsteps

His decision was to stay in Stark County and attend Walsh University, where he plans on competing in both sports and major in Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy.

"If you asked me one year ago, I was [considering] Cincinnati," Graham said. "The more I thought about it, the more Walsh interested me."

Walsh has become a formidable Division II program in both sports, finishing 23th in the national rankings in 2015 and 22nd in 2017 under coach Rob Mizicko, who also oversees the men's track program.

"I like what the coach has done with the distance programs, and I also know a few of their distance guys," Graham said. "I think I can fit in and help them."

Marlington's Noah Graham was a state champion in track and cross country

Graham helped Marlington win the Division II boys state cross country team title last fall by finishing second individually. He was also part of the third-place Division II boys track team after helping the 4x800-meter relay win that event and he finished sixth individually in the 3200 meters while setting a new personal record.

"Walsh landed a cerebral talented distance runner who did a lot of [positive things] for our boys program," Marlington boys track coach Bob Dagenhardt said. "He thought very well on his feet and was able to adapt."

Marlington's boys cross country coach, Melissa Graham-Perkins is Noah's mother. She watched her son grow on the course and off the course.

"He was very disciplined and had a good work ethic, which helped him improve as a runner," she said. "He also thought about the team and what he could do to help make it better. He became a great leader."

More: Aultman Alliance Community Hospital Athlete of the Week Noah Graham of Marlington

While he enjoyed competing as an individual, Graham also was pleased with how much the Marlington distance running program improved and became a state power in both cross country and track.

"When I was a freshman our distance running program was pitiful," Graham said. "It got better my sophomore year, then really took off. We finished sixth in the state my junior year and won the state title last fall. The same guys run distance in track and that helped make our [distance] events strong."

Senior Liam Blake, junior Cohen Boyce and sophomore Colin Cernansky joined Graham on the 4x800 relay, which zipped to a first-place time of 7 minutes, 49.66 seconds at the state meet in Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. That broke the old Marlington school mark of 7:54 set by the quartet of Ryan Kaplan, Kyle Masterson, Colin Eggleston and Brian Baum.

Marlington's Noah Graham says Dukes' distance running program is in good hands with many returning athletes

Cernansky, a sophomore, also won the 1600 meters. Nash Minor, a junior, joined Graham in the 3200 at state, placing eighth. Cernansky, Minor and Boyce, who is also a junior, are the three top returners. Graham and Liam Blake, who finished sixth in the state in the 1600 and is headed to Youngstown State University, will graduate, but there are other several returners ready to compete for regular spots.

"The future for Marlington cross country and track looks great, because I've seen how the veterans like Colin Cernansky, Nash Minor and Cohen Boyce have put in the work, and several younger guys, like [freshman] Lucas Ryan, do the same thing," said noah Graham. "They should be fine."

Starting the transition to college, Graham is excited about his future and his new journey.

"I'm looking forward to running at Walsh and also forward to my studies," he said. "I want to be a physical therapist because I like to work with people and feel I can help them [recover] from injuries. I think it's a [rewarding] profession."

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Marlington senior distance standout Noah Graham picks Walsh University