Three hours prior to the start of the varsity race, a storm hit central Ohio resulting in a delayed start time. Instead of the races beginning at 9:30 and 10:45, they instead started an hour later. The boys did not let this adversity stop them. Especially considering the adversity we encountered all week with the extreme heat - three run-on-your-own days and two very early morning practices before school. When the gun went off, it was 80 degrees with 89% humidity. Westerville North, the hosts of the meet, did a great job getting the course ready despite all of the rain they had endured this morning. At mile one, the varsity race was led by freshman Reed Henderson, with quartet Colt Whitt, Kellan Durbin, Carson Leonard, & Austin Rhoads next. Caiden Blackburn, CJ Jett, Kael Thompson, & Eli Hilgenberg ran through the mile marker in the woods with both confidence and grit. From the first mile through the finish, the Viking guys executed their goal perfectly. To continue to compete and get one place higher for the next two miles. Reed Henderson ended with a 17:14, earning himself a 21st place finish. Colt Whitt (18:40.1), Kellan Durbin (19:07.2), Carson Leonard (19:41.5), and Austin Rhoads (19:59.4) all ran well-executed races, despite the heat. Junior, Austin Rhoads, also ran his first high school race, while also starting for the varsity soccer team. Caiden Blackburn finished aggressive with a 20:41.7, a fifteen second PR from last weekend. CJ Jett (20:59.0) and Kael Thompson (22:42.1) both ran well in addition to the rest of the Vikings Varsity line-up. Amongst strong competition, the varsity guys were 14th out of 17 teams, scoring a 366. In the open race, the guys toed the line ready to compete. In this race, Jett Eitel led the race with a PR of 20:55.1, a thirty second improvement from last week. Next, Ryder Sykes (21:29.8) ran a PR with Josh Langley (21:46.1) not far behind and Kyler Lewis (22:08.8) also racing a PR. Junior Lane Myers (25:56.2), a basketball and baseball player, debuted with a great race after two and a half weeks of committed training. Ami Clay (26:52.7) ran confident through the finish. The open race Vikings earned 11th out of 15 teams, scoring a 361 for the race. Much appreciation and gratitude goes to all of those who contribute both throughout the week and on race day. Thank you to the Clays and Durbins family who contributed our Saturday morning snacks, Ian Duncan and Heather Rhoads for the awesome pictures, and all of my guys who ran around to help set up and break-down the tent, carry the trash can to and from the startline, and get splits. The Vikings will continue their season next weekend at Watkins Memorial. Results: https://results.timingfirst.com/meets/76956?_gl=1*6mdpyt*_ga*MTYwNzY3MjY3MS4xNzI3NzE1Njk3*_ga_CV6QCFM8SJ*czE3ODg2NjE1MTYkbzgyJGcxJHQxNzg4NjYxNTI3JGo0OSRsMCRoMA..