State XC Notebook: Pleasant's Casey Kimball endures hot race

Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
·2 min read

OBETZ — The weather was ideal for everyone but cross country runners.

Unseasonably warm in the 70s and with a bright sky for the Division III girls race at the state championships Saturday at Fortress Obetz, Pleasant's Casey Kimball did her best in the heat.

"I just knew I had run in this weather before, and it was going to be the same as any other race. The weather doesn’t affect me unless I let it," the sophomore said.

It was 10 to 25 degrees warmer than they've competed in for more than a month, so runners had to harken back to how they competed in the dog days of August and September and gut through the 5K on Saturday.

Pleasant's Casey Kimball runs to a 50th place finish at the Division III girls cross country state championships Saturday at Fortress Obetz.
Pleasant's Casey Kimball runs to a 50th place finish at the Division III girls cross country state championships Saturday at Fortress Obetz.

"I think I did okay. It’s not my best, but I definitely pushed through it," she said.

Kimball finished 50th in 20:10, 18 seconds off the times she had posted over the last couple weeks. Last year at state in typical late fall temperatures, Kimball was 48th in 19:51 as a freshman.

"I tried to get her mentally ready. Everyone’s running in the same conditions so just try to fight through it," Pleasant coach Beth Lichtenberger said of her runner's approach. "I think it was tough because we haven’t run in this kind of warmth for a few weeks. I think she did fine. It’s neat for her to be here two years in a row. I’m proud of her."

Northmor's Ryan Lehman, right, uses a strong kick to the finish line to claim the final All-Ohio spot during the boys Division III race at Fortress Obetz for the state cross country championships.
Northmor's Ryan Lehman, right, uses a strong kick to the finish line to claim the final All-Ohio spot during the boys Division III race at Fortress Obetz for the state cross country championships.

Northmor Boys

The Golden Knights competed in the Division III boys race and finished 20th with 436 points.

Getting the final All-Ohio spot by one-tenth of a second over a Mapleton runner, Northmor junior Ryan Lehman was 30th in 16:39.

Also running for Northmor were freshman David Blunk who was 134th in 18:11, senior Connor Radojcsics who was 144th in 18:29, freshman Ethan Amens who was 160th in 18:53, junior Bryce Cooper who was 162nd in 18:54, Northmor freshman Thomas Keen who was 168th in 19:01 and freshman Levi Hunter who was 178th in 19:39.

Morrow County Girls

Three Morrow County runners competed in the Division III girls race with Kimball.

Mount Gilead sophomore Kimberly Staley was 90th in 21:06, while Cardington sophomore Magi Hallabrin was 97th in 21:12. Cardington senior Loey Hallabrin, a four-time state qualifier, appeared to be hampered by the heat late in the race and finished 162nd in 23:03 after running in the top 50 for much of the event.

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: State XC Notebook: Pleasant's Casey Kimball endures hot race