OBETZ — Experience can be a tough teacher.
Mount Vernon’s Calvin Heithaus endured that scenario on Saturday. The sophomore finished in 14th place at the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state cross country championships on Saturday.
Just a sophomore, Heithaus said he entered the Division II race with the fastest course-adjusted time.
“It was a pretty big bummer. I was going good … I didn’t have what it took to win today in me,” Heithaus said.
Although he started near the front of the pack, Heithaus said he fell behind after experiencing side cramps.
Next year, Heithaus plans to come back with renewed motivation.
“Train, learn from my mistakes,” Heithaus said. “This loss makes me want it even more. I feel like wanting it more than anyone else is going to help me come back and win next year.”
Heithaus finished in 15:51.0.
Heithaus previously placed second at the regional cross country meet in Pickerington on Oct. 31 with a time of 15:28.7, which qualified him for the state meet.
Check out all the state meet results at this link. Here’s a closer look at how the Mount Vernon-area boys fared on Saturday.
Centerburg and Utica push hard
Division III Boys
Centerburg: finished 22nd in the team standings
Samuel Dickhof 17:37.7
Carter Netting 17:40.9
Mason Shaw 18:07.5
Lane Kloss 18:11.8
Bram Hodge 18:15.7
Cameron Riley 18:45.2
Corbin Netting 19:20.7
Utica: finished 24th in the team standings
Andrew Bebout 17:57.3
Sam Krueger 18:01.0
Blake Lewis 18:43.4
Holden Quinif 19:28.6
Elijah Green 20:45.2
Matthew Prince 20:46.1
Cash Christian 23:35.2
(Here are Alexandra Hopkins’ photos of the tournament).
