How do you top the last couple of seasons the Minerva girls’ cross country team has had?
First the Lady Lions won the Eastern Buckeye Conference meet for the seventh consecutive year. Next, they were crowned OHSAA East District Division II champions in a blowout, scoring 24 points, a whopping 61 ahead of runner-up West Holmes (for edification, a perfect score in cross country is 15 points).
That led to a second-place showing at the Division II Region 7 meet, where the Lady Lions were edged by Athens, 45-48. And that led to Minerva repeating as Division II state champs, a feat made all the sweeter by the Lady Lions avenging their defeat at regionals – as well as an early season loss to Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown – to win the crown.
It was the second consecutive team title for Minerva, and the Lady Lions’ third in four years. With the roster seventh-year coach Olivia Scott has built and tradition of excellence she’s brought to the program, who’s to say Minerva can’t run it back again?
While it is true that the Lady Lions are losing some notable runners, including Katie and Hannah Ison as well as Kayla and Annabelle Crissman. These four were part of the seven runner contingent that competed at the state meet last November. Katie Ison led Minerva to the 2023 state title with her 17th place finish.
However, the Lady Lions return their top three runners from the state meet who are among the five letter winners coming back for another shot glory. They are senior Gabby Lupshu, who paced Minerva with a 13th-place showing at state, junior Mackenzie Beavers (23rd), and sophomore Tateum Richard (42nd). Lupshu and Beavers both earned All-Ohio honors. These three are joined by senior Makenna Jones and sophomore Addison Keyser,
Scott also has some newcomers who she believes will make great strides this season in helping Minerva mount its title defense.
“These ladies are already showing they are going to be ready to lead the team again,” she said. “Freshman Charlie Galley and sophomore Addison Keyser have stepped in as our fourth and fifth scoring runners after a strong showing at our time trial. Providing depth, Taylor McGeorge, Callie Yeagley, and Chloe Carson are all running as a pack for our final seven runners.”
Another key addition this season comes not in the shape of a new athlete, but a new assistant coach.
“Coach Mackenzie Scott, a former running Lion herself, has joined our coaching staff this summer,” said Scott. “She joins us after two years as the head coach of the Northwest girls. I am very excited to have Coach Scott back at home in Minerva. She has really helped that front pack of girls and can do workouts with them. She is going to help push them to new heights.”
The Minerva cross country program has not only established a tradition of excellence, it’s also established a tradition of consistency. The Lady Lions have advanced to state as a team for an impressive 10 consecutive years.
