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3 Central Ohio storylines for boys state meet

3 Central Ohio storylines for boys state meet

Competition is expected at all three boys cross country state meets Saturday at Fortress Obetz.

Westerville North (Division I), Fairfield Union (Division II) and Mount Gilead (Division III) are eliminated Regional Championships last Saturday at Pickerington North.

Here are three storylines from central Ohio that are spilling over into the state.

1. Westerville North heads back to state

Despite losing several key runners to graduation including 2023 individual state champion Ben GabelmanNorth won its first regional championship (95) since 2012, defending second-place Dublin Jerome (99).

The Warriors are making their second straight state appearance after finishing 18th (368) behind champion Massillon Jackson (86) last season.

“It was a big step for us to make it to the region,” North coach Nick Horton said. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves at the state meet last year. This year they can go out with a little more confidence because they know they’ve been there before and they can just go out there and have fun and see where we’re at on the day.”

Gabelman, who won last season in 14:51.7, now competes at Syracuse.

“These guys really wanted this,” Horton said. “Last year we were Ben Gabelman and everyone else, and now these guys are showing they’re a solid group.”

Jeffery Kerns placed seventh at the regional (15:46.28). lead north.

Joining North and Jerome in the state are Olentangy Orange (121), DeSales (144) and Olentangy Liberty (148).

2. Pickerington North’s Temple fights back from injury

North junior Mick Temple earned a return to state despite missing part of the regular season due to inflammation in his right hip.

Temple was feeling the effects of the injury midway through summer training after finishing 12th in the 1,600-meter (4:21.06) in the Division I track and field meet last spring.

He made his cross country season debut on September 21, placing second at the Celtic Clash in Jerome (15:21.92). Since then he has continued to make progress.

Temple won the OCC-Ohio meet (15:53.05), took second at the District 1 meet (15:30.71) and took third at the regional meet (15:27.18). He placed 10th at state last fall (15:27.6).

“He had some trouble early,” North coach Tim Starkey said. “He couldn’t train. He had to take a break and every training he did was minimal or cross training. He is very committed and super talented. He is a focused, talented individual blessed with great genetics.”

Starkey believes Temple can host a strong state meet.

“Conservatively, we hope to finish in the top 10 and make a name for ourselves again,” Starkey said. “We’re hoping to be higher up, but Ohio produces some really great runners and if we get into the top 10 with his training that would be a big win for the season.”

3. The first-year cross country runner leads Watterson to state

Led by junior Jack Hangen, Watterson secured a spot in Division II by finishing second (111) in the regional Fairfield Union (51).

Hangen, who finished 10th (16:06.15), spent the last two years on the football teamprimarily spending time on special teams.

He already has the fourth-best time (16:06) in program history.

“I did track and field my first two years, but this is my first time in cross country,” Hangen said. “I love it. I love the team; I love the culture. This is all new to me, but these guys got me into it. They push me every day. It’s a great sport.”

Hangen’s parents, Matt and Laura, ran at Watterson.

The Eagles, who moved from Division I to Division II, will be making their fourth state appearance since 2017 and eighth overall.

“I’m really proud of the boys,” coach Steve Taliaferro said. “Our goal all year was to achieve what we achieved in 2021 and that was fifth place. Overall, Division II is a little more competitive this year.”

Bexley (155) and Jonathan Alder (161) also advanced with fourth and fifth regional finishes.

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