BY JOHN URCHEK
Stow's Katie Betts won the Youngstown cross country regional to qualify for the state championship next Saturday
BOARDMAN – Every step became a greater challenge, but that adversity made way to a champion Saturday afternoon. On a rain soaked course, Stow junior Katie Betts persevered tough conditions to win the girls Division I Youngstown Regional.
Complete results through baumspage, click here: http://neohstrack.com/2009%20Regional%20CC/Results/D1%20Girls%20Boardman.htm
“I am really happy with the race.” Betts said. “It was really muddy and I didn’t know what to expect.”
Betts said rainy conditions provide unique challenges to an already demanding sport.
“Every step you sink into the ground.” Betts said. “You feel like you are going to lose your shoes.”
Betts won the race in a time of 20:10.81 and that feat she says will only help her next weekend for her trip to Columbus for the state championship.
“It’s definitely given me more confidence.” Betts said. “My goal is to make it to the podium next weekend.”
Joining Betts at Scioto Downs will be the teams from Hudson and Green High School, both of which qualified with second and third-place team finishes, respectively.
Hudson was led by freshman Madison Hartline who finished third at the regional meet, a week after winning the district meet. Hartline posted a time of 20:36.29. Green was led by a sophomore duo of Krista Roehlig and Marissa Papp who finished 11th and 12th, respectively, with times just under 21 minutes.
Another pair of sophomore teammates punched their tickets to Columbus as Cuyahoga Falls Kayleigh Scourfield (13th) and Allison Hainer (14th) to qualify for the state meet.