State-ranked regional

Running in the same conference as 2008 state champion Minster and 2007 state champion Versailles, the Indians are used to being up against the best of the best. But the regional meet is even more daunting.

The Fort Recovery High School girls cross country team will compete in the Division III Troy regional Saturday for the fourth time in the last five seasons. And, as always, it is loaded with talent.

The 16-team field has six of the top 10 teams in the state, including the top three, and the first through fourth place finishers from last season's state meet.

"It is very competitive," said Fort Recovery coach Michelle Stammen. "But I think when you compete with those teams it makes you stronger and better. And kids just thrive on competition.

"It's a privilege and honor to be able to qualify for regionals."

Defending state champion and No. 1 Minster stands as the favorite to win the regional title, based on district results. No. 8 Attica Seneca East is seeded second followed by No. 3 Spencerville and No. 2 Versailles.

Other ranked teams at the meet are No. 5 Fort Loramie and No. 10 Russia, and Crestview (Ashland) could also make a run at a state berth.

The top four teams and top 16 individuals will advance to the state finals.

In 2008, Attica Seneca East, Versailles and Fort Loramie finished second, third and fourth in the state respectively behind Minster.

"It's a big change from one of our (regular) meets because usually everyone starts running and then they slow down into a pace," said FRHS junior Alexis Sutter. "That does not happen at regionals. They just keep going."

The Indians enter the meet as long shots, seeded 14th out of the 16 teams ahead of only Summit Country Day and Cincinnati Christian. Nicole Heitkamp, a sophomore who was 18th in the district, will be their top-seeded runner as district times project her for a finish around the 70th position.

Stammen said she'd like to see her team make a run at improving on last season's 13th-place regional effort, but she's also looking at the meet as a building experience for 2010. FRHS, which will be making its fourth regional appearance in the last five seasons after being shut out from 2000 through '04, will not lose any of her top seven runners to graduation this year.

"What's exciting is we do have a young team," said Stammen. "We so much can use the experience of Saturday to set goals for next year. ... It is well within reach to be able to reach the state level next year with the talent we have on our team.

"I would like them to continue having the dedication and determination they've had all season, and have (personal bests) on the year. That would be a glorious day for us."

Even making a regional appearance is impressive for the Indians, considering the injury issues they have had this season. Three of Fort Recovery's top four runners will not compete Saturday because of injuries.

One of those runners is team leader Marissa Brunswick, a junior who will miss the meet because of an injured knee. She fought through the injury at the district meet at Spencerville, posting the Tribe's top time of 21:51 for 16th place.

Her effort led Fort Recovery to a fourth-place finish for its second straight regional berth.

"She's been our top runner all season," said Stammen of Brunswick. "She has been injured for a few weeks now, and she has continued to work hard and do the very best that she can do. That speaks well to her character. ... I've been very impressed with that."

Casey Backs, who attempted to run at the district meet but could not finish the race, and Abby May will also miss the regional because of injuries.

That leaves Heitkamp, Sutter (27th in the district), junior Abby Huelskamp (29th), sophomore Christen Wendel (36th), freshman Samantha Tobe (46th), Mariah Koester and Abby Sudhoff as the regional team. Based on their efforts throughout the year, Stammen expects her crew to stand strong despite the missing runners.

"They have come a long way since the beginning of the season," she said. "I have been amazed at how the girls have just persevered through (the injuries) and gotten stronger. Someone always steps up ... when someone is out injured."[[In-content Ad]]