Mount Vernon’s Lucy Rush eyes second state berth after undefeated cross-country season

October is the time of year that can make or break a cross-country season for a team or an individual. The stakes are higher for the runners toward the front of the pack. Mount Vernon senior Lucy Rush, has placed first in every meet in the 2025 regular season, as she heads into the Licking County League Championship Oct. 11 at Watkins Memorial. 

Her poise and maturity, along with her speed and endurance, should carry her to her second state tournament berth on Nov. 1. 

“She's got a really solid head on her shoulders,” said Mount Vernon girls cross-country coach Jennifer Bishop. “We've had her on the team for four years, now. It's always fun to see them grow over the time. She's a hard worker, too. She comes to practice, and she pushes herself.”

Rush, who also runs track in the spring, has found plenty of reason to like both. 

“I like them both for different reasons,” said Rush. “Track is fun, because there are a lot more people on the track team and everybody gets the opportunity to do something they’re good at. Not everyone does the same thing, Cross-country is really fun, because we get to run on a lot of different courses. That’s really interesting and that helps keep it fun, so I like them both.”

At this point in the season, the practices are beginning to become a little easier and just in time.

“We are getting ready to taper,” said Bishop. “It’s really just wanting to keep them healthy and maintain everything. I know, for the kids, it's the end of the school quarter. That’s the same week as districts. I always feel like there's a lot going on. They’ve got end of quarter stuff, their projects, and practically everything else. I know that as student-athletes they are balancing a lot.”

When the Jackets practice, they mix the boys and the girls together. That means Rush has somebody else to run with and learn from.

“They're all so smart,” said Bishop. “You hear their conversations in practice, and you know they'll have silly conversations. Then, I walk over and it's something very deep. Lucy's got a solid head on with that. Especially this year. It's tough to run alone, no matter what part of the pack you're in. When she's running, it seems like we're up to the first mile and already she's starting to pull away.” 

Rush broke the school record at this year’s Watkins Memorial Invitational, early in the season, with a run of 18:06.44 seconds. The old record was held by Sarah Baker, who set it in 2009. This year, which got off to a smooth start, has not ceased to be smooth sailing for Rush, so far.

“I do a lot of cross-training, and I started doing triathlons over the summer,” said Rush. “I’ve been doing that for over a year-and-a-half. That left he really prepared for this season. I’d say it has been pretty smooth this year.”

As far as Rush’s actual race strategy goes, that really depends on the course and the weather.

“In track, I had to practice holding back a little and just staying with the front pack.” said Rush. “In cross country, I’ve been pretty successful just feeling out my pace and, if I feel like the front pack is slowing down, I’m perfectly comfortable just going off ahead and making a move, even if it’s early in the race.”

Her attitude and her hard work reach far beyond race strategy.

“Her work ethic is impressive and she's so positive with her teammates,” said Bishop. “(During a recent race) one of the boys got some new spikes and he was trying to get those spikes into his shoes. Lucy was getting ready to go to the race, but the first thing she did was that she and another girl sat down and were helping him get the spikes into the shoes. She's really kind and supportive of her teammates. She's a tremendous runner, but as one of the seniors, she really leads through example. If you need something, she's already probably noticed and has probably volunteered to help before you even get to the point of asking someone for help. Last year, as a junior, she went to state. The year before that, she went to regionals. When she was a freshman, the whole team went to regionals.”

The girls get to practice with the boys team, which helps to push them between meets. 

“I think, if the heat stops, we're all going to be happier,” said Bishop. “We're all ready for fall and we're holding it together pretty well, right now. We're healthy. I think we've started to get excited as we've gotten further along in the season. On the girls’ side, we’re a very small team this year. That happens every once in a while, but they're a really great group. We've been practicing since Aug. 4 when we were meeting with them in the summer. We have spent a lot of time together. I enjoy being with them. I've gotten a chance to know them, and this is a fun group to be with.”

The girls would be pretty happy to get a berth in the regionals, coming up in the last week in October.

“We don't have any freshmen, so all of our runners are older,’ said Bishop. “One of our runners, Amanda Misarti, is our only junior and she joined us a little late. I don't think she ran her freshman year. Callie Peugh and Cora Stetler are both sophomores. It's been exciting coming from last year and learning how to race this year, going out and going after people. Now, they're more assertive. Among my seniors are Madison Seng and Joy Mormon. This is Madison's first year running in the varsity. They're dedication to the sport is wonderful. They keep coming back. Unfortunately, Joy had been injured for the majority of the season. (Marion Harding) was her first race. Annaliese Scott is a sophomore, and this is her first year ever running. Nora de la Fuente Morcillo is a sophomore and an exchange student from Spain. It's been fun talking with her. She said she has run 5Ks before — maybe not training like this. This is a much different kind of experience for her.”

Like her teammates, Rush has to make sure that her schoolwork gets done at a satisfactory pace. In the meantime, most of Rush’s classes are at the high school.

“I’m also taking two classes online through Cedarville University,” said Rush. “That’s where I’m planning to go, next year. I will be studying financial planning and math at Cedarville. Also, I will be running for them. I’m interested in a career in financial planning, estate planning or something like that.”