Cross country seniors honored

River View High School honored its cross country seniors during its county meet held Aug. 27 at home. Seniors pictured from left are Bertha Vidal, Kaitlyn Stanton, and Colton Miller. Ridgewood High School also competed in the meet. Their cross country seniors this year are: Memphis Cutshall, Trevor Hawkins, and Josh Schumaker. Josie Sellers | Beacon

WARSAW – The County Invite at River View High School is a special time for area cross country runners. It gives River View’s seniors a chance to celebrate with their parents and seniors from all the local schools the opportunity to compete in front of family and friends.

Prior to the start of the Aug. 27, meet River View honored its three seniors – Bertha Vidal, Kaitlyn Stanton, and Colton Miller.

Vidal is an exchange student from Spain and this is her first year doing cross country. She is staying with the Tumblin family. All four of their children run and Vidal decided to join the team for something to do prior to swimming season starting.

“I like the team,” she said. “They are very nice.”

Stanton has run cross country throughout high school. She loves the team aspect of the sport.

“I like how we are like a family,” Stanton said. “I’ve also gained a lot of confidence from this. I just love the sport.”

Colton Miller also has run throughout his high school career at River View.

“I like this meet because we can show our community what we do,” he said. “I still think a lot of people don’t know what cross country is about and this gives us a chance to show them our sport.”

Like Stanton, he also likes the family aspect of cross country.

“I am going to miss the people,” Miller said. “My advice to younger kids would be to give cross country a try. You might learn to really love it if you give it a shot.”

Ridgewood High School also was at the county meet and they have three seniors – Memphis Cutshall,

Trevor Hawkins, and Josh Schumaker.

This is Cutshall’s first year on the cross country team.

“I did it to stay in shape,” he said. “It’s definitely a lot of running, but I’ve met new friends and new people. The best feeling is at the finish line.”

Like River View’s team, Ridgewood’s also is close knit.

“There is a lot of camaraderie with this sport,” Schumaker said. “You are pretty serious when you run, but before and after you can let loose (with your teammates).”

Hawkins said his senior year of cross country is bittersweet.

“I grew up with these guys since seventh grade,” he said. “I’m ready for the next step too though. I’m excited for college and plan to do cross country there.”

In addition to River View and Ridgewood, the county meet also included runners from Newcomerstown High School. Top five finishers in the girls’ race were: First – Caitlin Green, Newcomerstown; second – Alana Shroyer, Ridgewood; third – Ashlyn Seiler, River View; fourth – Addison Guy, Newcomerstown; and fifth – Shyanne Rahn, River View. The top five in the boys’ race were: First – Javin Robinson, River View; second – Nathaniel Stamper, River View; third – Trevor Hawkins, Ridgewood; fourth – Sam Adams, River View; and fifth – Connor Stevens-Woolery, River View.

Category: High School, Sports