It was a misty October morning when the Fairbanks Panthers got on the bus at FHS. The mood was quiet, as all of the Regional qualifying girls had just one thing on their minds: getting to state. Nicholas Johnson and Bryce Nisly showed up as well, to help with the tent and other equipment for team camp. Their faces were grim as they began loading it on the bus. “I just really want the girls to get to state,” said Nisly. “They’ve worked so hard for so long, and we just have too much talent not to take that leap. Coming off our first District title in school history, this will be a history-defining race today.” Coach Van Winkle was equally focused as he soberly sipped from a gallon jug of whole milk. “It’s time to put it all on the line,” he said. “We’ve got the talent; we’ve got the experience; and we’ve got fate on our side, for this morning, ere the sun rose, I offered a sacrifice to the cow gods . . . And they smiled at me and then the rain came down and then it relented at the perfect time. And the moon eclipsed the sun as it rose and our fortunes are firm.”
Once the Panthers arrived at Pickerington North and the team camp was set up, the mood shifted as the nerves disappeared. The girls sprawled out on the tarp and began discussing their strategies for the race. District Champion, freshman Ava Lahmers said, “I’m ready to go and I’m just glad it’s not cold.” Freshman Sadie Miller added, “This is the perfect weather for a postseason race. There’s a dampness in the air and a cool breeze comes through every now and then. I just know that when I’m on the course, I’ll feel both fresh and refreshed, like the oxygen is just flowing through me. It’s like Coach Van Winkle says, when Fate comes knocking, you have to answer the door because it don’t take no for an answer.” Senior Rachael Hoover sat meditatively, watching over her young charges. “These girls are ready. Me and Mara made states last year, so we know what it takes, but these younger girls ready to take the leap. I’m so pumped to have a whole team here at Regionals. This course is amazing and a lot of fun, and that will work to our advantage. Of course it’s going to be hard to get our team to state, but that’s why this is called Regionals. We’re gonna go warm up now, so please get that microphone out of my face.”
Soon, it was 10:00 and time for the girls to line up. The judge gave the final instructions and POW! They were off. Then POW! POW! A false start! As soon as the dust cleared, the runners lined back up in their boxes and POW! A clean start. They were off, down the opening straightaway. Rachael Hoover sprinted to the front of the pack, followed closely by Ava Lahmers, Sadie Miller, Mara Vicari, Molly Thrush, Hannah Niehaus, and Meredith Reinhard. After a quick loop, the runners disappeared into the woods, where the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, rule. Strange things can happen in the woods. There are ghouls and goblins, sylphs and elves, and maybe, just maybe, a chance for the girls to qualify for the state meet.
After about ten minutes without a cheering crowd around, the girls re-emerged from the forest and make a sharp hook towards the final straightaway. It was Lahmers leading the charge for Fairbanks in 11th place overall. Following closely behind her was Hoover in 17th! The girls were looking strong and then Sadie Miller appeared, trucking her way through lesser runners, to take 33rd place. Next up was Mara Vicari, in 54th place, followed by Molly Thrush, who would claim 92nd. Niehaus and Reinhard would finish things up for the Panthers taking 107th and 108th respectively. But would it be enough to advance the team to the state meet? Parents and fans waited with bated breath for the final results to roll in. And there it was! Fairbanks was runners-up behind Regional champion Grandview Heights! It was a day to remember, and now there’s one more week for this team of history. Full results are below:
Ava Lahmers—11th—19:39
Rachael Hoover—17th—20:00
Sadie Miller—33rd—21:01
Mara Vicari—54th—21:34
Molly Thrush—92nd—22:52
Hannah Niehaus—107th—23:34
Meredith Reinhard—108th —23:34
