TROY – The Ansonia Tigers Cross Country teams were back in action this weekend racing at the Troy Twilight Invitational, under the lights, at Troy Memorial Stadium. The Trojans’ race has quickly become one of the highlights of the season, with over 3,500 high school and junior high runners representing schools from all parts of southwest Ohio. The night started with a spectacular fun run for the kids, which was followed by the junior high girls’ race.
Junior High Girls:
Zoie Partin– 15:10.80, season PR
Julia Jenkins– 18:47.00
Layla Fullerton– 18:50.30, season PR
Addilynn King– 23:07.80
Junior High Boys:
Tate Gelhaus– 12:38.20, season PR
Jacob Lehman– 13:21.40, season PR
Nolan Seger– 13:46.60, season PR
Zoie Partin, Julia Jenkins, Layla Fullerton and Addilynn King nervously stepped up to the starting line, but once the race started, each settled into a good rhythm and was able to keep composure during the 3,200-meter event. Zoie came away with a huge PR at 15:10. Julia and Layla worked together with Addilynn to round out a solid race for the Tiger crew.
Tate Gelhaus, Jacob Lehman, and Nolan Seger all got PR’s and had the race of their lives at this point in their young careers. Each one was able to move up amongst peers who had been ahead of them on time.
High School Girls [White Division]:
Addison Gelhaus– 23:25.20, 19th place
Alexa Kreiner– 23:25.80, season PR, 20th place
Kaitlyn Tollefson– 31:11.60, season PR
With three girls seeded in the white division race, Addiison Gelhaus, Alexa Kreiner, and Kaitlyn Tollefson found their groove early. Addison and Alexa ran together to help each other pace their way to a strong finish, while Kaitlyn, who was battling back from sickness all week, had to stay back in the pack, but was able to work her way up near the end of the race and come away with a season PR.
High School Girls [Scarlet Division]:
Anna Yeomans– 19.13.00, 14th place, season PR, new school record
“Anna Yeomans, who as a freshman was seeded in the final girls’ race, had been planning to race well at Troy back in June. Breaking 20 mins was the goal, and she did that running 19:13.00.,” said Ansonia assistant coach Allen Newbauer. “Anna also broke the Ansonia High School record of 19:38 set by Sarah Prescot (Smith) back in the early 2000s. Anna could not have run a better race as she took advantage of the big stage and ran like a seasoned veteran.”
High School Boys [Scarlet Division]:
Bennett Lehman– 15:20.30, 1st place champion, season PR, new school record
Owen Marker– 16:14.80, 20th place, season PR
Luken Longenecker– 17:46.00, season PR
Karr Hiestand– 18:12.40, season PR
Wyatt Unrast– 18:16.70
Gavin Stachler– 20:11.60, season PR
Brady Wright– 22:34.70
The Ansonia Men’s Team finished in 18th place out of 32 teams.
To cap off the night and surrounded by teammates, friends, and family, the boys’ team did what they have done all season … give their best effort and race with heart. Bennett Lehman, who had trained over 90 miles the week earlier, was racing to defend his win at Troy last season. Among a deep group of talented runners, Bennett was able to again get the win and set a new Ansonia high school record, one that he held previously from the Coldwater Lions Invitational in 2024. Certainly happy with the race, Bennett has bigger goals ahead in which he will go into heavy training for over the next 4 weeks.
Owen Marker came in with a huge PR of 28 seconds, running 16:14 and grabbing the 20th spot. Owen, who is a senior, is making a name for himself and is looking at running at the next level in college.
Luken Longenecker broke the 18-minute barrier at 17:46 and continues to focus on end-of-season goals. Karr Heistand and Wyatt Unrast followed Luken at 18:12 and 18:16, respectively. Karr’s mark put him over a minute faster than previous races this season, pushing his ceiling to new heights. Gavin Stachler and Brady Wright finished the night off with strong finishes, although not the races they wanted, Brady who was battling a calf injury, was able to gut the race out.
“It was an incredible night for Ansonia cross country as we got to line up with some of the best runners in the state of Ohio,” Newbauer noted. “A night that will be remembered for a long time and another step for our program in becoming able to compete against all divisions in Ohio! Coach Wright and myself love this group of athletes.”
Ansonia will look to stay a little closer to home this coming week with a stop at the Tour de Sewer in Versailles. Races start Saturday at 9 a.m.
