Tucker runner-up at KMAC meet; Mount Vernon duo set new school records

A snag in her usual routine didn’t seem to bother Centerburg’s Payton Tucker.

The Trojans had to carpool with family and friends to make it to Northmor for the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference cross-country championships after the bus didn’t show up at the time they were ready to leave. But, despite the shorter warm-up time and extra stress, Tucker found her stride quickly once the race began and finished second overall in the girls’ race.

“Our bus didn’t show up, so we got transported by parents and random cars, so I was stressed from the start,” Tucker said. “I had nervous stomach jitters on the line.”

Tucker’s finish, behind only Kate Lehman of Northmor, made her the top runner from Knox County in the conference race. She finished the woody course in 20:13.48, and was named first-team All-KMAC for her efforts.

“When I started out, I got a good spot and then from there it was good,” Tucker said. “I felt really good. I was able to work up all the hills; they weren’t too bad. The weather was perfect. It was cold, but comfortable, so you weren’t hot.”

Her finish also helped her Centerburg team finish fifth in the event with 126 points. Northmor won the girls’ KMAC title with 28 points. Mount Gilead was runner-up with 59, followed by Fredericktown (81), Cardington-Lincoln (97), Centerburg and Loudonville (135). East Knox and Danville each had runners, but not enough to count for a team score.

Northmor’s Lehman won the individual title, winning in 19:37.57. The Knights had five runners finish in the top 10.

Brianna Giehl was the second Trojan to cross the finish line, placing 34th in 24:24.17. Audrey Garner was next at 41st in 25:22.38, followed by Afton Ellis (27:49.08), Merrideth Nash (27:51.39) and Claire Hill (28:10.71).

Fredericktown’s Peyton Blakesley also finished as a first-team All-KMAC runner, placing 10th in 21:35.96. Elizabeth Swartzentruber came in 15th for the Freddies at 22:38.64, followed by Sophia Overholt (16th, 22:38.64), Gwen Lavin (19th, 22:48.04), Madi Shade (22nd, 22:59.83), Ella Flynn (25th, 23:18.49) and Angelina Overholt (26th, 23:26.99).

Danville was led by Brooklyn Ashman, who placed 28th in 23:36.55. Raegan Malone came in 37th in 24:41.55, followed by Gracie Lucas (27:03.90) and Hailey Colopy (28:16.29).

Macie Fawcett was the first East Knox Bulldog across the finish line, placing 31st in 23:56.64. Cloe Tucker was close behind in 33rd at 24:09.55 and Kaylie Barlock was 49th in 26:48.43.

On the boys’ side, Mount Gilead had four runners in the top five to cruise to the KMAC title with 20 points. Northmor edged Fredericktown for second place (73-75), while Centerburg was fourth (105), Cardington-Lincoln fifth (130), East Knox sixth (150) and Loudonville seventh (182). Danville also competed.

Owen Hershner of Mount Gilead was named KMAC runner of the year after winning the event in 16:28.45.

Fredericktown had four runners in the top 20. Lincoln Snyder was 10th at 17:35.92, followed by Darren Hartley (14th, 18:02.95), Allen Swartzentruber (15th, 18:03.36) and Gideon Rashley (19th, 18:18.40). Trace Armstrong was 21st in 18:30.11, Anson Wenger finished in 18:36.78 and Carter Budd in 19:03.97.

Centerburg was led by Andrew Dickhof, who finished eighth in 17:27.40.

“I felt good. It felt pretty smooth up until that last mile, but all I had to do was focus on that form and know the finish line was going to be in sight any minute,” Dickhof said. “I think it definitely boosts up my confidence a little more. I feel like I could have had a little more in the tank if it weren’t for the fact I had to cut my warm-up a little bit short. Not trying to make excuses but I think I will have a better performance coming up with districts, regionals and, fingers crossed, for state.”

Carter Netting was not far behind for Centerburg, placing 11th in 17:39.00. Lane Klos was 30th in 18:55.85, followed by Noah Matthews (33rd, 19:10.61), Sam Dickhof (19:45.04), Corbin Netting (19:57.39) and Mason Dawes (20:12.56).

Kaiden Clutter was the first East Knox runner to finish, placing 18th in 18:11.43. Lucas Holland was close behind in 26th at 18:41.46, followed by Zeke Proudfoot (19:14.10), Cale Brewer (20:49.63), Curtis Divan (21:32.84) and Jacob Montera (22:10.63).

Danville was led by Johnny Stephens, who placed 46th in 20:03.78. Ethan Swendal (20:20.27), Nick Mosher (21:16.26) and Evan Crider (21:35.91) also ran for the Blue Devils.

Licking County League

Competing in the Licking County League championships brought out the best in two Mount Vernon runners Saturday.

Lucy Rush and Calvin Heithaus each set school records as they traversed the 5-kilometer course at Watkins Memorial.

Rush won her eighth straight race, finishing in a time of 17:43.13. That broke her own school record, which she set earlier this season at Watkins. Rush’s top finish helped the Yellow Jackets finish fourth as a team.

Heithaus, just a freshman, broke the boys’ school record with a time of 15:58.28. That was good enough for fourth place overall and broke the record previously set by Steve Krajenski (15:59) in 1997. Heithaus’ run helped the Jackets finish third in the boys’ race and earned him a spot as a first-team All-LCL runner.

Owen Petrie finished seventh overall for MV, crossing the line in 16:52.74 and earning second team All-LCL honors. Gavin Andrews was 19th in 17:23.33, followed by Joey Butts (23rd, 17:45.93), Brady Mills (18:11.86), Anderson Seng (29th, 18:24.97) and Nathan Jose (31st, 18:34.14).

On the girls’ side, Nora de la Fuente Morcillo was the second Jacket runner to cross the finish line, placing 27th in 21:51.49. Callie Peugh was next at 35th in 22:25.32, followed by Amanda Misarti (40th, 22:43.10) and Cora Stetler (45th, 23:19.39).