GALION (Crawford County Now) — Karter Boggs is going to the Division IV regional cross country meet again, as expected. This time, however, his Bucyrus teammates are also coming along.
The senior ran the 5000-meter district race in 15:56.88 on a sunny and pleasant Saturday morning at Amann’s Reservoir.
“The race was a good run. Sage (Edgerly-Bork of Huron) is a good competitor. It’s always good to race him,” Boggs said.
Edgerly-Bork finished second in 17:08.19 and Colonel Crawford’s Shawn Auck was fifth in 17:08.19.
The Redmen finished fourth as a team to qualify for regionals next weekend in Tiffin. Anderson (AJ) Griffin came in eighth in 17:24.79.
Colonel Crawford boys won the event, with 61 points to Huron’s 70. Buckeye Central finished ninth.
The Lady Eagles also qualified for regionals, taking third.
The top 7 teams make it out and the next 14 individuals not on qualifying teams also move on.
Boggs, team hyper focused
“This course isn’t always the best to run on because of the roots. If you’re not careful you can fall. I almost fell like twice. Overall, I just wanted to win, not worried about times,” Boggs said.
“The goal is to win regionals and get to state.”
Boggs finished 28th as a junior last fall at Fort Obetz.
“It’s very good because our team is hard workers. They’re racers and are willing to hurt unlike a couple years ago when they were afraid to run quick.”
Head coach Kevin Boggs was pleased with the Redmen’s efforts.
“They’ve been running together since they were 8 years old, our core guys. The goal was to get back to regionals for the third year in a row,” he said.
“The young guys had great races. Tyson Beck (40th), Micah Spears (33rd) have come along. The veteran guys knew what it was going to take.”
Beck and Spears are freshmen.
“Having Carter Bierce back has been a huge asset,” Boggs noted. “He had a shoulder injury and got cleared like two weeks before league, so having him back has made a huge difference. They all ran good times.”
Bierce, a senior, placed 30th in 19:05.09.
“Carter (Boggs) is on a mission to get back to Obetz. We acquired some young guys who had dabbled with running. One had run track, and another ran cross in seventh grade and came back,” Boggs said.
“I’ve got such a nice group of kids, boys and girls. They support each other and get out and cheer for each other.”
Griffin also has improved.
“I’ve never seen him tired. He may have been a little tired today. He gets very nervous. But he came out last week and did a great job and got first team, and he continued that today.”
Coach Boggs credited his team and assistant coaches for Bucyrus’ success.
“I’m really lucky to have Dave Jones and Matt Beck as my assistant coaches. The three of us all have the same mentality with the kids. I’m pretty blessed with all those things.”
Bucyrus junior Madalyn Weiler (23rd) and freshman Makinsey Weiler (54th) also qualified.
Crawford teams qualify
Eagles head coach Jordan Kiess was all smiles.
“They’ve been working really hard this season and really the past couple of seasons. They were fighting for each other and for their goals and put forth their best effort.”
The Lady Eagles (88) took third behind Ashland Crestview (46) and Norwalk St. Paul (85).
“The girls getting third was really exciting for them to be able to go to regionals together,” Kiess said.
This marked the first time that Kiess took both boys and girls teams to the regional. The last time that happened was in 2017. It also is the first time the boys won back-to-back district titles since 2017.
“My 3-4 girls really stepped forward and knew what they had to do. We didn’t have a lot of PRs today, but they still competed.”
Emily Schwenning was 14th and Sydney Link 18th. Alyssa Crank took 26th and Ella Harding 30th.
Eagles Braeden Grau was 12th, Landon Strausbaugh 14th and Isaac Stirm 16th.
Buckeye moving on
The girls took sixth place.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids. We had a goal today that our girls team had a great shot of making it out and they all ran right where they needed to be,” said head coach Joe Wiles.
“They were locked in all week. Our two boys that made it out — both of them knew if they ran the right race today, they had a great shot at it. Even those who unfortunately didn’t make it out, most of them had PRs and their best races.”
Jeremiah Roberson (18:37.95) and Blaise Metzger (18:44.79) will represent Buckeye Central next Saturday.
“We peaked right at the end of the year, exactly what you want to do. I can’t say enough about our kids — just humans, not just runners,” he said.
Angela Figueroa took ninth in 21:35.96 and Samantha Auck 17th in 22:28.76.
“Angela is obviously the leader of that group. A fun kid who isn’t afraid to work hard. Sam’s been creeping closer and closer to Angela, which is phenomenal.
“Then we have a whole group all together in that middle pack being able to push ahead really is where our strength’s at.”
The great fall weather has aided runners all season.
“You couldn’t ask for a better season. We’ve seen rain one time, the first or second meet of the season,” Wiles said. “Usually when you come to districts the grass is all wet. No dew this morning. So dry feet, fast race. It really makes for nice conditions.”
Moving on from districts, Wiles’ advice is simple.
“From here it’s all gravy. Go out and have fun. That’s why we’re here.”
Hill takes fifth
Crestline’s Nevaeh Hill finished fifth in 20:56.60 to qualify.
Riley Patrick of Mansfield Christian won in 19:11.71.
The Bulldogs Adam Burton was 78th in the boys in 24:50.69.
Royals advance three
Wynford junior Brooklyn Stauffer (48th), sophomore Elena Alegre (53rd) and senior Drew Pope (53rd) also made it to regionals.
Division III
Galion girls (109) took third as a team, led by the Halbisen juniors Makayla in 13th and Makenzie in 19th, freshman Katelyn Carr was 17th, junior Alayna Griffith 22nd, sophomores Savannah Nelson and Ashley Soha 44th and 45th and senior Madison Beck 46th.
On the boys side, senior Zachary Early (33rd) was the lone regional qualifier, clocking 20:39.32. The team finished seventh.
Ritzler, Holmes advance for SE
FINDLAY — Mohawk and Seneca East competed at another D-IV district meet at Owens Community College.
Seneca East freshman Aubrey Ritzler took second, clocking in at 19:32.73 to advance. Avery Schwab was 11th in 2:11.60.
The girls finished second (82) to dominant Ottawa Hills (19). Carey was third.
In boys action, the Tigers Nevin Holmes took fifth in 16:46.74. Mohawk’s Phoenix Nally placed ninth in 17:07.88 as both qualified.
The team finished fifth out of 15 schools.
- Full results at https://oh.milesplit.com/meets/708152-ohsaa-division-4-district-amanns-park-2025/results