GREENVILLE – Greenville hosted its annual Treaty City Invitational Cross Country Meet run in the Greenville City Park under the direction of Greenville head cross country coach Stephanie Lind.
The annual event was in doubt following the recent tornado that ripped through the city park. Still, with the work of Greenville employees and coaches, administration, family, and friends of the Green Wave cross country program, the race took place with a different layout from past years.
“A big thank you to Greenville employees who worked so very hard over many months getting our park cleaned up and making the Treaty City Invitational even possible after the devastating tornado that destroyed so many of our trees and structures,” Lind stated. “They were mowing and cleaning limbs right up to the day before the event.”
“Thanks to Garst and the Darke County Parks who had cleanup to do as well on their properties so we could utilize that space,” continued Coach Lind. “Thanks to our Athletic Department, EMS, the Greenville Police Department, and Mr. Hughes for their assistance as well.”
“And finally, a huge appreciation for the parent volunteers who spent countless hours with the planning, preparation, and final push to get the course ready to go and assist where needed during the races.”
“Coach Eckstein and I were very pleased with our athlete’s performances,” said Ansonia head cross country coach Jason Wright. “Treaty is always a challenge for them, falling on the heels of the fair, start of school, and coaching staff setting up the invitational. The heat the week leading up to Treaty added some additional challenges with staying hydrated. And we always have sickness that sweeps through the team because of the above. The Greenville squad came out strong and ready to defend their home turf. Really happy both our boys and on the podium and CT McRill (Middle School) on the podium individually for claiming fourth place”.
“Redesigning an entire 5k and 2-mile course with what space remained that allowed for safe footing for athletes was no easy task,” Coach Lind said. “Several trees in the park remain fragile from the tornado, and we were removing fallen branches even after the course was set up on Friday evening and right up to the morning of the race from the storm that went through late Friday night. That and a forecast for a strong storm in the afternoon forced us to keep our eye on the sky. Luckily, we could get all the races in with just a light shower at the end of the meet.”
“The newly designed course was more challenging, but the athletes seemed to embrace it and we had some great fast, finishing times,” she added. “I believe the spectators enjoy being able to see more of the races than in previous years as well. We hosted 1200 athletes, and 20 schools were represented at the Invitational. Bennett Lehman of Ansonia was the Varsity Guys Champion with a time of 15:53.7.”
“Rolling out of the gate first, the boys wanted to be aggressive and smart to aim to have a really fast day today,” said Ansonia assistant coach Allen Newbauer. “Bennett’s (Lehman) goal was to stay near the front and work on closing fast over the final 400 meters or so. With the competition out there today, it allowed him to really push his personal best time down while still accomplishing his tactical goals. Ethan [Sparks], Luken [Longenecker], Wyatt [Unrast], Gavin [Stachler] and Brady [Wright] all had solid days and, like the girls team, are focused on how good this team can become when it comes conference time and in the postseason.”–
Varsity Boys First Place individual finish went to Ansonia High School’s Bennett Lehman, with a time of 15:53.7. Bennett was the only runner to break the 15-minute mark. Versailles’ Tony Moorman placed third with a time of 16:28.80, Jackson Spitzer finished fifth at 16:34.00, Zachary Rahm seventh at 16:59.70, and Cameron Magoto eighth with a 17:00.20.
Varsity Boys 5000 Meter Run Team Scores
- Versailles
- Greenville
- Marion Local
- Tippecanoe
- Northmont
- Loramie
- New Bremen
- South Adams
- Brookville
- Henry
- Coldwater
- Eaton
- Ansonia
- Tecumseh
- Mechanicsburg
- Twin Valley South
- Miami Valley School
- Lehman Catholic
- National Trail
- Houston
- Franklin Monroe
- Chaminade Julienne
- Recovery
- Sidney
“Meredith Hunt led the Lady Wave finishing in 18th place with a time of 21:51.7,” Coach Lind said. “Meredith had a great day. Ava Glass (57th), Henica Feitshans (60th), Clair Rammel (67th) and Hegan Lind (69th) were a nice pack coming in to round out our top five. Leah Force struggled with the heat of the week and humidty, but was our sth girl in. She is usually a front runner and we have no doubt she’ll be back up there next race. Girls team also saw seven season best times at treaty. Really, the entire squad I focused on putting in the work and being competitive at races. We are extremely happy with the progression and effort we are seeing out of these kids.”
The Varsity Girls first place finish went to Mechanicsburg’s Isabelle Rogers with a time of 19:54.50 and Ava Rismiller of Versailles placed ninth with a time of 20:57.40.
“Having a full team this year has really provided our high school girls with a lot more than just time goals, but now they are aiming for team placement goals,” said Ansonia assistant coach Allen Newbauer. “Today was no different. Olivia Creager and Alexa Kreiner set the tone, while Bella [Obringer], Kaitlyn [Tollefson], and Jenna [Mosler] aimed to follow. Once October rolls around, these girls are aiming for some big team goals.”
Varsity Girls 5000 Meter Run Team Scores
- Loramie
- Versailles
- Brookville
- Tippecanoe
- New Bremen
- Mechanicsburg
- Henry
- Recovery
- Eaton
- Greenville
- Coldwater
- Northmont
- South Adams
- Lehman Catholic
- Marion Local
- Tecumseh
- Franklin Monroe
The Versailles JV boys finished first and Greenville placed fourth. Versailles’ Drew Myer place first with a time of 17:57.20, Drew Geisendorff of Versailles placed second, Luke DeMange took fourth, Ryan Pleiman finished sixth, Max KcKibben eighth and Jack DeMange took ninth for the Tigers.
JV Boys 5000 Meter Run Team Scores
- Versailles
- Tippecanoe
- Brookville
- Greenville
The Versailles JV girls placed second and Greenville finished fifth. Versailles’ Lexi Timmerman placed fifth with a time of 23:50.80 and Erin Frederick placed tenth at 24:24.60.
JV Girls 5000 Meter Run Team Scores
- Loramie
- Versailles
- Tippecanoe
- Henry
- Greenville
- New Bremen
- Brookville
“We are really excited about our junior high runners this season. Both Hunter (Stahl) and Cooper (Pierce) have been working hard in practice and really learning a lot about racing strategy these first few races of the season. Max (Lentz) is emerging as one of the top junior high runners in our conference,” said Ansonia head cross country coach Jason Wright. “He has started this season demonstrating tremendous growth. And watching Addison (Gelhaus) run today, you never would have guessed this was her first ever cross-country race. She demonstrated such control and experience.”
Junior High Boys 3200 Meter Run Team Scores
- Beavercreek
- Greenville
- Northmont
- New Bremen
- Brookville
- Tippecanoe
- Henry
- Versailles
- Lehman Catholic
- Eaton
- Coldwater
- Houston
- Recovery
- Loramie
- Franklin Monroe
- Springfield Shawnee
- Western
- Tecumseh
Junior High Girls 3200 Meter Run Team Scores
- Beavercreek
- Versailles
- Loramie
- Greenville
- Tippecanoe
- South Adams
- New Bremen
- Coldwater
- Lehman Catholic
- Springfield Shawnee
- Brookville
- Northmont
- Recovery
- Eaton
- Tecumseh
