Eagles soar to first place in deep field at Berlin Bear Dash

Running against a stacked field that included seven of the top 10 ranked Division I programs in the state, the Avon girls cross country team came away with a one-point victory Saturday in the Bear Race at the Berlin Bear Den Dash at Olentangy Berlin High School. Ranked fifth in the state in the latest coaches poll, the Eagles topped a field of 23 teams that included No. 2-rated Hilliard Davidson and No. 3 Olentangy Liberty, a team that finished in front of Avon earlier in the season. This time the Eagles totaled 150 points to edge Columbus Bishop Watterson, ranked No. 3 in Division II, by a point. Lexington, ranked seventh in DII, was next with 194, followed by Upper Arlington (No. 9 in DI) with 202. Other top-ranked Division I teams finishing behind Avon included No. 6 Lancaster—the defending state champions—No. 7 Perrysburg, and No. 8 Springboro. In all, there were 15 teams in the field that are ranked in either Division I or Division II in the latest state poll, giving the Eagles a good idea of what’s to come in the postseason leading up to the state meet on Nov. 1 in Columbus. “This meet provided us a glimpse of November with some of the teams and runners that competed today,” said coach Justin Carroll. “I’m very proud of the girls and their mindsets all week and during the meet. Not every meet is perfect, but they continue to find ways to make it happen and their enjoyment of the process and one another has been key.” Senior Kaitlyn Reese was the top finisher for Avon, crossing the line in third place with a time of 17 minutes, 19.03 seconds over the 5,000-meter course. She was followed by Olivia Pajak (30th in 19:05.87), Jessica Pendleton (31st in 19:06.02), Ava Melott (43rd in 19:22.62), Julianna Stein (65th in 19:54.56), Molly Suter (67th in 19:55.81) and Molly Pomfrey (70th in 19:59.94). The Eagles will continue their season October 4 in the Milt Place Distance Festival in Medina.