November 3, 2017 at 4:22 p.m.
Will set to run at state
Tribe junior to compete at 11 a.m. Saturday
Will set to run at state
Her goal entering the season was just to make all-conference.
On Oct. 14 she completed that goal, finishing eighth in the Midwest Athletic Conference meet.
(The top 12 are named first team all-conference.)
After she became first team all-MAC for the third straight year, her teammates encouraged her to aim higher.
She did that, too.
Chloe Will, a Fort Recovery High School junior, will compete in the OHSAA Division III state finals at 11 a.m. Saturday at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.
“To actually make it feels really good,” said Will, who is the first Tribe girl to compete at state since Elle Sutter in 2013.
Will earned her state berth by finishing 19th in the Tiffin regional meet with her time of 20 minutes, 2.69 seconds, her second-fastest of the season.
And its that performance coach Kylee Moody said will give her more confidence for Saturday.
“She’s actually had a bit of an off year, not quite reaching the times she was at last year,” Moody said. Will had a season-best time of 19:51.09 on Oct. 5 in Coldwater. “I think a lot of that has been a mental block and we definitely were able to get over that at regional.
“It hasn’t typically been a kind course to her. We’re in pretty good shape going into state because I think she, having gotten over that hurdle, believes in herself and her ability a little bit more.”
On Oct. 14 she completed that goal, finishing eighth in the Midwest Athletic Conference meet.
(The top 12 are named first team all-conference.)
After she became first team all-MAC for the third straight year, her teammates encouraged her to aim higher.
She did that, too.
Chloe Will, a Fort Recovery High School junior, will compete in the OHSAA Division III state finals at 11 a.m. Saturday at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.
“To actually make it feels really good,” said Will, who is the first Tribe girl to compete at state since Elle Sutter in 2013.
Will earned her state berth by finishing 19th in the Tiffin regional meet with her time of 20 minutes, 2.69 seconds, her second-fastest of the season.
And its that performance coach Kylee Moody said will give her more confidence for Saturday.
“She’s actually had a bit of an off year, not quite reaching the times she was at last year,” Moody said. Will had a season-best time of 19:51.09 on Oct. 5 in Coldwater. “I think a lot of that has been a mental block and we definitely were able to get over that at regional.
“It hasn’t typically been a kind course to her. We’re in pretty good shape going into state because I think she, having gotten over that hurdle, believes in herself and her ability a little bit more.”
Will is quick to admit it’s taken quite a bit of mental toughness for her to get to this point. Sometimes throughout the season she’s gotten down on herself during races.
How does she get out of the rut during a race to finish strong?
She sings to herself.
As an eighth grader, she and a couple of her classmates started singing the 1990 hit song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.
It’s more than just that song, however. She said it ranges anywhere from country music to Christmas tunes. She’ll even try to spot her mother in the crowd and get motivation from her to keep running.
She’ll use some of the other competitors to help her focus during races.
The Minster Wildcats, a Midwest Athletic Conference rival of Fort Recovery, are defending Division III state champions. They have been running alongside the Indians for most of the season.
The Wildcats, as well as Marion Local sophomore Kelsey Broering, are just a few others Will looks to follow.
“If I’m running the race and I see them up ahead of me I usually try to surge until I get up to them and stick with them throughout the rest of the race,” she said.
Now that she’s reached the sport’s pinnacle, Will said she’s not going to get mixed up with the big stage. She and a handful of teammates who have been helping her this past week went to Hebron today to get an early look at the course.
“Relax and just think of it just as another race,” she said. “Go out there and do what I’ve been doing the whole time.”
The weather forecast Saturday in Hebron calls for a 40-percent chance of rain with temperatures in the high 50s, low 60s.
It’s ideal conditions for Will.
“I actually love running in the cold weather and in the rain versus hot,” she said. “I think that will be really good this weekend.”
Will has one goal in mind on Saturday; beat the place of the last Indian to make it this far.
Sutter, who now runs for Ohio Northern University, was 55th in 20:16.81.
“To be further up than that is a goal,” she said.
Moody just wants her to enjoy the experience.
“Being her first time down there I think the expectation is just to be able to take everything in and perform well,” she said. “It can be overwhelming. Hopefully we can get some of those jitters out (today). She can end the season on a high note.”
How does she get out of the rut during a race to finish strong?
She sings to herself.
As an eighth grader, she and a couple of her classmates started singing the 1990 hit song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.
It’s more than just that song, however. She said it ranges anywhere from country music to Christmas tunes. She’ll even try to spot her mother in the crowd and get motivation from her to keep running.
She’ll use some of the other competitors to help her focus during races.
The Minster Wildcats, a Midwest Athletic Conference rival of Fort Recovery, are defending Division III state champions. They have been running alongside the Indians for most of the season.
The Wildcats, as well as Marion Local sophomore Kelsey Broering, are just a few others Will looks to follow.
“If I’m running the race and I see them up ahead of me I usually try to surge until I get up to them and stick with them throughout the rest of the race,” she said.
Now that she’s reached the sport’s pinnacle, Will said she’s not going to get mixed up with the big stage. She and a handful of teammates who have been helping her this past week went to Hebron today to get an early look at the course.
“Relax and just think of it just as another race,” she said. “Go out there and do what I’ve been doing the whole time.”
The weather forecast Saturday in Hebron calls for a 40-percent chance of rain with temperatures in the high 50s, low 60s.
It’s ideal conditions for Will.
“I actually love running in the cold weather and in the rain versus hot,” she said. “I think that will be really good this weekend.”
Will has one goal in mind on Saturday; beat the place of the last Indian to make it this far.
Sutter, who now runs for Ohio Northern University, was 55th in 20:16.81.
“To be further up than that is a goal,” she said.
Moody just wants her to enjoy the experience.
“Being her first time down there I think the expectation is just to be able to take everything in and perform well,” she said. “It can be overwhelming. Hopefully we can get some of those jitters out (today). She can end the season on a high note.”
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD