GREENVILLE – The Ansonia Cross Country team traveled to Chenoweth Trails this past Saturday to compete at the Blackhawk Invitational. The weather was perfect for the seven schools from around the area [and Dayton] to tackle the season’s toughest cross-country course. Hills, woods, rocks, and more would await the droves of runners who dared to take on the challenge. On this day, the Ansonia runners proved they had what it takes to tame the competition.
Ansonia’s Max Lentz brought home a second-place medal for his finish in the Junior High boy’s race. His time of 14:41 helped to set the pace for the rest of the Tiger runners. Hunter Stahl [9th place, 18:08] and Cooper Pierce [13th place, 20:43] had strong races among their competition.
“Max Lentz was able to learn to stay near the front of a race when it is advisable to do so and really showed some fight near the end, holding on to a second-place finish,” said coach Allen Newbauer. “He has some things to work on, but he is getting better and better. Cooper and Hunter ran good races despite being in a gap position in the race late as runners were in front and back of them. Hunter displayed a really strong kick at the end of the race.”
Addison Gelhaus finished fourth place overall for the Tigers in the junior high girls’ race, bringing home another medal for her quickly growing collection this season.
“Addison ran a solid race, finishing in fourth and coming off a big week of practice. She was able to run well even with some fatigue on her legs today,” Newbauer stated.
The high school girls had a big day today. Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers were missing some runners and would not be competing as a team, but individually, the girls had a tremendous outing. All of the Tiger High School girls were able to run a new season PR for themselves, setting them up for a strong week ahead. Olivia Creager [22:53] narrowly missed a first-place overall finish. Her second-place run was good enough to bring home the silver medal on the day and help her teammates find a strong pace. Alexa Kreiner [23:37] came home with a 7th place medal, and Kaitlyn Tollefson [31:35] and Jenna Mosler [32:24] had their best run of the season.
“Our girls ran their best times of the season today,” said Ansonia head varsity cross country coach Jason Wright. “Olivia [Creager] ran really strong today. She was in contention the entire race for the 1st place overall finish. Some minor tweaks to develop her finish and this girl will be able to close out a race with the best of them. Alexa [Kreiner] made a big jump today. She has been a great addition to our team this season. It’s clear that she is quickly becoming a runner to keep an eye on in the WOAC. Jenna [Mosler] and Kaitlyn [Tollefson] continue to take minutes off of their PR’s as the season progresses. They are as determined as they come.”
The Ansonia High School boys held off the competition to bring home the overall champion team trophy. The Tigers would once again be led by Bennett Lehman with a 16:00.1 race and first-place overall finish.
“Bennett was coming into this race on the heels of a 70-mile training week,” said Newbauer. “He was able to stay under control to take the win. His eyes are set on September 14th at the Troy Twilight race where he will look to move up in the state rankings for Division 3 [currently seventh in the state].”
Along with Bennett, Ansonia had some outstanding runs from the rest of the Tiger team. Ethan Sparks 18:24] brought home the bronze medal, Luken Longenecker [18:52] had a 7th place medal-winning performance, Wyatt Unrast [19:56], Brayden Bromagem [20:42], Gavin Stachler 21:25], and Brady Wright [24:21] helped secure the varsity win for Ansonia.
“Luken [Longenecker] ran his lifetime best time today,” Ansonia coach Newbauer said. “Brayden [Bromagem] made his 5K cross-country debut and ran strong. His times will continue to diminish with experience. Ethan [Sparks] was fighting a cold today but still was able to hold on for third with a good time. Brady, Gavin, and Wyatt moved up to hold positions that we needed to finish well as a team.”
