McCurdy: Mount Gilead cross country reaches a new level after finishing second in D-III

OBETZ — The Mount Gilead cross country program has reached a new level. Their collective reaction said as much.

The boys team earned its fourth Division III trophy at the state cross country championships Saturday morning at Fortress Obetz, but it was the squad's third marking second place.

And that was the rub.

"It’s nice to get second and have kids up there who are a little disappointed that it’s not first," Mount Gilead coach Jake Hayes said. "It’s going to add fuel to their fire. We’ll get back to work and keep building. It’s been nice to have some success as of recently. It’s a testament to the kids that we’ve got and the families and the community."

The standard used to be making the state meet, which they've done 14 times this century. Then it morphed into competing at it. However, over the last five years, Mount Gilead has moved into the bringing-home-hardware phase.

More from Saturday: State cross country: Mount Gilead earns fourth trophy in five seasons

State Cross Country Notebook: Pleasant makes most of second-ever appearance

In 2019, the Indians broke through with a runner-up finish, and it was a celebration. In 2021, after finishing third as a team during the previous COVID-19 season, they again took home a runner-up trophy with smiles and glee.

But last year, Mount Gilead won the D-III championship going away, nearly doubling up the second-place finisher on the scoresheet. And that last bit of success changed expectations and outlooks.

Besides being the defending state champs, the Indians spent much of 2023 atop the D-III state coaches poll.

And that's why the podium reaction was a bit muted compared to 2019 and 2021.

"It’s kind of a statement to where the program is at where you can come get second at a state meet and everybody’s a little bummed out about it," Hayes said moments after the team was presented the silver trophy.

Cross country is a hard business. While Saturday was contested in pristine distance running conditions and the Fortress Obetz layout is largely flat and welcoming of fast times, all courses and all weather are not created equal when running five kilometers. What happened one day doesn't always translate to another. There are variables that are seen and unseen in the sport, which makes staying elite over time all the more challenging.

"I think sometimes it gets taken for granted when you’ve had success for a while," Hayes said. "People assume you’re going to show up and win. They forget that there’s a lot of people who want to win. We remind the guys that all season. We’ve been there, but everybody else wants to be where we’re at."

On Saturday, the Indians took on the best that Division III boys cross country offers in Ohio.

While they were slow out of the box, they patiently reeled in the competition. At the mile, they were trailing by roughly 60 points and in fourth place. They ended as runners-up, just six points behind Columbus Grove.

"I thought they prepared well for today," Hayes said. "Turns out we were the second-best team in the state today, and I’m proud of them."

Junior Will Baker, now a three-time podium All-Ohioan, was the top finishing runner among the 20 teams in the field and fourth overall with a 15:45. Joining him on the podium was two-time All-Ohioan Parker Bartlett, who ran a 16:14 for 17th. Right behind him was sophomore Owen Hershner, who picked up his first all-state honor with a 22nd in 16:22.

Those three were veterans of the meet. Behind them in scoring positions were first-time state racers. Junior Tommy Emberg was 95th in 17:27, and sophomore Nolan Hershner was 107th in 17:36. Seniors' Nathan Smith and Collin Gabriel also ran and were 137th and 180th in 18:10 and 19:27, respectively.

"I’m super proud of my guys," said Baker who hoisted the team trophy over his head while on the podium. "They do really well. I love them to death. I know each and every one of them ran with as much passion and heart as anyone else, so I can’t be any more proud of them."

Bartlett echoed him.

"We definitely had the dream of repeating, but I’m proud of everybody. I love all of our guys. I wouldn’t trade the moments we’ve had for anything," he said.

So was Saturday's result a disappointment? Maybe a little. Disheartening? No way.

Rob McCurdy is the sports writer at the Marion Star and can be reached at rmccurdy@gannett.com, 419-610-0998, X, formerly Twitter, @McMotorsport and Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star,

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: McCurdy: Muted reaction says something about the state of MG's program