Carrollton middle school runners shine at state cross country meet

Three Carrollton Middle School runners capped off impressive seasons with strong performances at the Ohio Cross Country State Meet, held Oct. 18 at Dublin Jerome High School. Despite muddy conditions, steady rain and strong winds, the athletes delivered standout results among the state’s top middle school competitors.

Seventh grader Henry Roudebush finished third overall in the Boys Division 2 race with a personal-best time of 11:27, while eighth grader Jacob Day placed ninth in 11:42. Roudebush’s time was also the second-fastest among all seventh-grade boys in the state. Both earned podium finishes, as the top 15 runners receive medals.

In the Girls Division 3/4 race, eighth grader Addison Butler placed 26th with a time of 13:02, rounding out an impressive showing for the Carrollton contingent.

The optional state meet draws many of the top middle school runners in Ohio and serves as a finale to the cross country season.

Throughout the fall, Roudebush and Day were consistent frontrunners for Carrollton. Roudebush won the Dover Invitational Sept. 6, while Day claimed back-to-back victories at the Cambridge Invitational Sept. 27 and the Indian Valley Invitational Oct. 4, with Roudebush close behind in both races. The duo also earned podium finishes at the Eastern Buckeye Conference Championship Oct. 11 at Marlington, where Roudebush placed second and Day third.

Adding to the family accomplishments, Cylus Day, a fifth grader, also competed at the state meet, finishing 17th in the Boys Elementary Division 2/3/4 race with a time of 13:08.