GALION, Ohio — Claire Reynolds will have some company at next week’s regional meet.
A senior at Mansfield Christian, Reynolds finished second at Saturday’s Division III district meet at Amann’s Park and the Flames grabbed one of four qualifying spots to next week’s Tiffin regional with a third-place finish in the team standings
Reynolds, who has been to regional each of the past three years and qualified for the state meet last fall, finished in 19 minutes, 41.85 seconds.
“I felt terrible, honestly,” Reynolds said. “I did not feel good at all. I was not even to the first mile before it started to hurt really bad, but I had to push through.”
Reynolds was followed across the finishing line by teammate Carolina Trumpower. The freshman finished in 19:53.99.
“It wasn’t my best time, but it was my best place so far,” Trumpower said. “I was proud of my place today. I was proud of how I fought.”
Rebekah Hupp finished 23rd overall in 21:58.45, while Abby Reynolds was 28th in 22:14.46. Margaret Myers rounded out the scoring for the Flames, finishing 39th in 22:50.09.
“It would be cool to make it out of regionals,” Reynolds said. “Our goals are to run our fastest and have fun.”
Because of the large number of small schools in the Northwest District, there were two Division III girls races and two boys races Saturday. Plymouth’s Nathaniel Redden qualified for next week’s regional out of the first boys race, finishing seventh in 16:58.60.
“This is the third time I’ve qualified (for the regional meet) and my best district finish,” Redden said. “I was a little disappointed with my time, but with the wind and the conditions it is about what I expected.”
In the second boys race, Lucas’ Gavin Shindeldecker, Mansfield Christian’s Clay Reynolds and Crestview’s Jacob Littleton and Chris McAvene advanced. Shindeldecker was seventh in 17:22.09, while Reynolds was 12th in 17:35.63. littleton (17:39.47) and McAvene (17:43.25) were 14th and 16th, respectively.
A sophomore, Shindeldecker improved on last year’s 13th place finish.
“I wasn’t really happy with my race. My legs were just tired and I cramped up,” Shindeldecker said. “It’s better to struggle and still make it out. Maybe I can redeem myself at regional.
“I think I should be a contender to get out of regional. I just need to run a good race.”
