Bigam, Shipley return to state, Zang making first trip

PICKERINGTON — Three local runners earned themselves a spot in the state cross country championships over the weekend. 

In Division I, Teays Valley sophomore Katy Zeng ran the 5,000-meter course in 18:50.82 to place 19^th and earn her ticket to the championships. (Any individual in the top 20 not on a qualifying team advanced.)

In Division II, a pair of local runners are advancing. 

Circleville junior Maddux Bigam earned a trip for the third time as she came in ninth overall in 19:10.49.

Westfall senior Caitlyn Shipley grabbed a spot for the fourth time as she finished 13^th with a time of 19:30.25.

The championships will take place Saturday at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park off Williams Road in south Columbus. Division II girls run at noon with the Division I girls race at 2 p.m.

Division I – Girls

Zang helped her team finish ninth out of 16 Saturday with 244 points. Hilliard Davidson had all five scoring runners finish in the top 25 for a team score of 61 to claim the regional title and Olentangy Liberty was second with 113.

Dublin Jerome’s Helen Randolph was the individual winner in 17:50.47.

Along with Zang, TV’s Reese Galinge was 54^th (20:06.29), Addison Kepler was 66^th (20:24.13), Grace Thanasack was 76^th (20:36.22) and Iris Ardrey rounded out the scoring finishing 94th overall in 20:56.51. Kate Charter (21:56.30) and Claire Krouse (21:57.20) completed the TV contingent. 

Division II – Girls

Circlveille’s Bigam (19:10.49) was 26 seconds faster than last year’s regional time when she finished 10^th. (She was 20^th as a freshman.)

Westfall’s Shipley (19:30.25) was 27 seconds better than any of her previous runs over the Pickerington North course. Shipley was 17^th in the regional last year. As a freshman and sophomore, Westfall competed in Division III and Shipley was in the top 10. 

Westfall senior Anay Sierra was 36^th overall in 20:29.76.

Logan Elm’s Ella Borland also competed as she was 160^th in 29:06.56.

The race was won by Athens’ Sophia Szolosi in 17:57.88.

Minerva won the team event with a score of 68 and Athens was second with 98. Fairfield Union was fourth with 137.

Division II – Boys

Fairfield Union had four runners finish in the top 11 spots to easily claim the Division II team title with 47 points. Bexley was second with 124.

Westfall finished 16^th with a score 389.

FU’s Andrew Walton won the race in 14:59.21.

Josh Trapp led the Mustangs finishing 48^th overall in 17:11.89. Trent Gardner was 54^th (17:17.02), Henry Barnes was 102^nd (17:59.83), Nate Wolfe was 129^th (18:26.09) and Brody Williams was 150^th (19:07.72) to round out the scoring. Also competing for the Mustangs were Mason Barnes (153^rd, 19:17.02) and Nick Brooks (159^th, 20:16.95).