BETTSVILLE — Maddie Jackson was the individual winner to lead Eastwood’s
girls cross country team to its second straight Northern Buckeye
Conference championship at Eells Park.
Jackson won in 19:39 and two other Eagles finished in the top five as the Eagles finished with 36 points.
Elmwood was second with 43 points, while Lake was third with 100.
The Eagles also won the NBC’s overall championship, determined by points
awarded in the conference’s two jamborees and the conference meet.
Eastwood won both jamborees.
Also in the top five for Eastwood were freshman Lexi Clark, who was
fourth in 20:57; and sophomore Meagan Kaminski, who was fifth in 21:00.
“The way we’ve run the last couple weeks, it’s not been easy,” Eastwood
coach Richard Morgan said. “We’ve had injuries and some other things
went on, but they put it all together today. It was a very impressive
performance.”
Eastwood was the preseason favorite to win the NBC, but Kaminski and
junior McKayla Phillips have been slowed by leg injuries. They’re
usually the team’s second- and third-finishers. Phillips was 13th in
21:34 as the Eagles’ fourth finisher.
“A week ago after running at the Clay Invitational, I thought there was
no chance of winning today,” Morgan said. “They weren’t running as a
team, they weren’t together, girls were hurt and they’re still hurt.”
Morgan praised his team’s captains, Jackson and Phillips, for their
leadership and pulling the team together during the last week.
“They practiced as a team. They acted as a team. They ran as a team,”
Morgan said. “All 10 of the girls ran very well. I’m very proud of
them.”
Jackson won for the second straight season. She was in charge from start
to finish, beating Woodmore freshman Courtney Burner by 16 seconds and
Genoa freshman Carly Gose by 20 seconds.
Jackson’s time was a personal best, beating her previous effort by 28 seconds.
“I knew I had a good chance to win today, so I wanted to go out early
and get the lead,” Jackson said. “I did that and never looked back. I’m
really happy with that time. I’ve been trying to get in the 19s all
season.” — GORDON
