OBETZ (Crawford County Now) — Karter Boggs realized his dream.

The Bucyrus senior was all smiles stepping off the podium after placing eighth in the Division IV state cross country meet Saturday morning at Fortress Obetz.

“All the work I put in this season and that it paid off is nice to know,” Boggs said.

The two-time all-Ohioan ran the 5K race, held under sunny skies and mild temperatures, in 16:01.36.

“I’m happy with how I ran today. It was sloppy, so I’m not really upset.

“I just wish I was higher on the podium. But getting on it is nice. It’s a fun day.”

Boggs was seventh at last week’s regional (16:08.56) and was a district champion. He placed 28th at state as a junior.

“The competition was very cut-throat. If you’re two seconds slower, you’re going to be like eight places lower. It’s crazy,” he added.

Mentally, Boggs said he has been relaxed prior to running.

“I’ve not really been stressed coming to it. I kind of just go out, do my thing and don’t really dwell on who’s in the race or what the conditions are. It’s my last go-round. So just go out and make it fun.”

Knowing the competition helps, however.

“Great guys to race against. Knowing where they are and their times,” Boggs said.

Kevin Boggs has had dual roles, that of coach and father to Karter.

“He’s been running with me since he was 5 years old. Watching him grow up … His high school career at this level is pretty awesome,” Boggs said.

“We’ve had to fight through injuries and things like that. But his mental toughness and his maturity has really come around; he’s always been a tough kid.”

Boggs said an exceptional runner needs talent but also must be willing to put in the work which Karter has done.

“Pacing has been the thing over the years. But we try to tell him to slow your pace, but it just throws him off so much. Now I tell him, ‘Just go run.’

“He’s always been one that wants to get out early and test where he’s at. He kind of gets him in his rhythm that he likes to be in,” coach Boggs said.

“When he came through today with Luke (Snyder of Rittman), I was a little nervous but when I saw the time he came through with, it was OK, this is where he should be.”

Bennett Lehman of Ansonia won the boys race in 15:17.91 and Snyder took second in 15:24.05.

Being around his dad coaching, Karter has a strong sense of the program’s history.

“We knew coming in that this could be the highest place in cross country that we’ve had. Maybe back when George Guins was here, but that was like the 1970s,” coach Boggs said.

“He’s really accomplished a lot.”

Ritzler on podium

Seneca East freshman Aubrey Ritzler took 19th with a time of 19:02.60 in the girls race.

“It was definitely hard, but it was fun. It was a goal at the beginning of the season, and it finally came true … a great feeling,” she said.

“My time here was a PR, so I’m glad.”

Tigers head coach Matt Schock said it was the second-best time for a freshman runner in school history.

“Coach told me not to be in the top 3 to start. So I didn’t want to go out too fast because I knew I’d kill myself,” Ritzler said.

Seneca East girls finished 19th as a team.

“I love my team. They’re my biggest fans. I’m proud they came down here and to do what they did.”

Members include Avery Schwab, who was 134th in 21:23.12, Julia Enders 154th in 21:52.44, Emma Voorhees 160th in 22:00.77, Lydia Ruffing 165th in 22:05.71, Valerie Bordner 186th in 23:02.69 and Jordan Enders 195th in 23:27.39.

“I love running in the warm. I guess this is different, but not really cold,” Ritzler said.

Schock pointed to the growth of the Seneca East program.

“This is the first girls team to get back here since 2010. Every one of the girls played a role, even the ones who graduated and moved on,” he said. “I’m grateful for everyone, from our first runner to our 17th runner that helped us build that and get here. Today was the culmination of that.

“Being here was certainly special. I told them at the starting line that they have carried the torch.”

Both Ritzler and Boggs were also individual Northern 10 Athletic Conference champions.

Hill pleased with effort

Crestline’s Nevaeh Hill just missed all-Ohio, placing 53rd. She ran a time of 20:03.52.

All-Ohio honors go to the top 48 runners, with the first 24 making podium.

“I was really nervous, and it was very overwhelming with how many girls and people were here. The first mile I ran 15 seconds slower than regionals. I didn’t get All-Ohio, and I was kinda bummed about that. But I have next year.”

With the crowded field, the junior said she was trying to keep her balance and not bump into other runners.

“And there’s a lot of sharp turns here, too,” she said.

“I’m definitely happy I made it here. I didn’t think I would.”

Others competing

  • Nevin Holmes of Seneca East finished 27th in 16:23.99.
  • Colonel Crawford boys competed with Shawn Auck at 78th in 17:00.62, Isaac Stirm 80th in 17:02.45, Braeden Grau 116th in 17:32.19, Landon Strausbaugh 126th in 17:37.69, Christian Mott 161st in 18:05.49, Gordie Elkin 194th in 19:05.95 and Wyatt Burge 208th in 20:02.55.

The Eagles finished 13th as a team. Auck made his fourth state meet appearance.

  • One other area runner who got podium was Ridgedale’s Brogan Weston taking 13th, with a time of 16:06.97.
  • Buckeye Central’s Angela Figueroa was 142nd, clocking 21:31.59.

For full meet result go to https://milesplit.live/meets/699324/events