by Connor Robinson

The 2016 Bellbrook cross country season was one for the books. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams were considered the strongest, most competitive, and most successful ever. The final race that ended the incredible season was the OHSAA State championship held at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio. The setting was one rarely seen at other cross country races; the course ran along, behind and even across a quarter mile drag strip before finishing in front of the stands typically used for observing drag racing.

The Bellbrook girls’ varsity had not progressed to the state level since 2011, finishing 8th overall. The 2016 team finished 6th, the highest place achieved in Bellbrook girls’ history. The top three finishers were Madison Pelfrey, Lauren Kemper, and Elise Kemper. Pelfrey finished 43rd with a time of 19:19, a personal record.

Representing the boys’ team was Justin Boreman. Qualifying individually at regionals, he finished 20th to move to the state meet. Boreman ran a personal record of 16:33 and finished 101st. This is the first time a male runner from Bellbrook has qualified for the state meet since Jake Stephens in 2010.

Parents, extended family, and plenty of Bellbrook students lined the course ready to cheer the 8 runners on as they tackled the course. The amount of support throughout the school was immense. Girls’ basketball coach Jason Tincher called off a scrimmage to allow for his players to make the trip to cheer on their friends and fellow athletes. Surrounded by friends and family, elated and proud of the runners and their accomplishments, an amazing season was completed in the best way possible.