HS Cross Country: Troy shocks top-ranked Centerville to win GWOC

The Troy High School cross country program anticipated one conference title at the GWOC championships on Saturday. And junior Morgan Gigandet delivered with a resounding victory – winning by a little more than a minute – to claim her second straight girls individual title.

The second championship, though, was more unexpected — and more impressive.

Troy placed three runners among the top seven to upset Centerville – the state’s top ranked team in Division I – and win the Greater Western Ohio Conference overall title. Troy scored 49 points to Centerville’s 62.

“Yeah, that’s kind of freaking me out,” said sophomore Kate Pence, who finished 20th overall as Troy’s fifth runner. “We’re trying to stay calm.”

“I’m not,” senior Emma Bryant cheerfully added. “I’m really proud of all of us. … Everybody wants to be the best they can. It’s an amazing atmosphere.”

Centerville entered as the three-time defending league champs and held home-course advantage. The Elks’ top five runners – three sophomores and two freshmen – finished in a pack from 10th through 15th. Troy, though, already had three runners in with Gigandet, sophomore Olivia Tyre (third) and Bryant (seventh) before the top Elk finished.

“It’s feels awesome,” said Troy junior Megan Myers, who finished 18th. “I didn’t expect it. I think it was my second mile there were five Centerville girls in front of me. I passed one of them, but the rest got away. I was like okay we’re this close (to winning).”

Gigandet dominated the 3.1-mile course behind Centerville High School in 17 minutes, 37 seconds. Lebanon senior Jessie Hartman finished second in 18:38.02. Hartman won in 2014 and finished second the past two seasons.

“I do think that can kind of affect some people, but I like to start out fast,” said Gigandet, who won the GWOC title last year with a 25.7-second victory over Hartman.

“I feel more confident in my ability than I did last year. Last year was more of a see what I can do. There’s a lot more pressure this year. I’m working on that so I think it’s better this year.”

On the boys side, Beavercreek senior Ben Ewart reclaimed the GWOC title he also won as a sophomore. Ewart finished in 15:59.9 and ahead of Piqua senior Andy Mayse (16:11.6).

Ewart said he started out slower than his typical pace and picked it up about a mile in. He dropped the field and never looked back.

“When we were halfway through the second mile I didn’t hear anyone behind me so I was pretty confident,” said Ewart, who finished second last year. “I wanted to come back and win as a senior so I’m happy about that. It’s my last time running this course so I wanted to take it. This is one of my favorite courses by far.”

Lebanon – led by the 8-9-10 finish of David Klenk, Kelby Caplinger and Ryan Beck – won the boys overall title with 54 points. Centerville was second with 58.

While Centerville’s boys led the area with its No. 11 ranking in the state poll, the girls meet was loaded with state teams.

Centerville’s girls, who have won the last two state championships, topped the D-I poll with Beavercreek (No. 4), Troy (No. 8) and Springboro (No. 18) also ranked. Tippecanoe entered No. 1 in the D-II poll.

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