Cross-country: Oakwood’s Vaughn finds a way to win

One of the trickier parts of Bellbrook’s cross-country course is when it approaches three large rocks that force runners to zigzag before heading into the narrowing woods. More than a few coaches warned their runners not to get boxed in running in the middle of a pack.

Oakwood sophomore Elizabeth Vaughn’s solution? Don’t let anyone pass her. Vaughn went to the lead early and stayed there to win the Bellbrook Invitational on Saturday.

She finished the 3.1-mile run in 19 minutes, 17.6 seconds for her second invitational victory this season. Vaughn, who also won the Miamisburg Invitational on Sept. 2, finished 47 seconds ahead of Bellbrook freshman Avarie Faulkner.

“After 400 meters I kind of established my spot and was out there,” Vaughn said. “Once I went into the woods I felt more comfortable. It was more relax and maintain (the pace).”

Oakwood typically runs the Centerville Saturday Night Lights race but shifted course to Bellbrook due to homecoming. The Jills scored 87 points to finish third behind Bellbrook (36) and Sycamore (86).

Bellbrook junior Elise Kemper finished third (20:21.3), Oakwood senior Lily Michael was fourth (20:32.2) and Waynesville freshman Hannah Gill (20:34.2) rounded out the top five.

In the boys race, Sycamore grabbed the top two spots with senior Matthew Isakson (16:58.1) winning. The Aves also won the team title with 54 points to runner-up Bellbrook’s 65. Brookville senior Spencer Schick finished third overall (17:10). Bellbrook junior Max Bretland(17:10.5) and Milton-Union senior Shannon Milnickel (17:11.5) rounded out the top five.

“I’m pretty excited with second,” Bellbrook coach Mike Baumer said of the boys, who he was hoping would earn a top-four finish. “The last two weeks we’ve been ramping up to get ready for the championship runs in October. There was very good competition here. This is the largest number we’ve had here in many years.”

Vaughn bested a field that included 161 other runners. And prior to the race she received a text from her favorite runner: her sister Mary Kate, a sophomore at Boston College.

“She always sends me a text before every race. Just good luck or like today she told me once you get up the hill it’s all golden from there,” Vaughn said. “She advises me and I’ll ask her questions. I look up to her. She did so well.”

And on Saturday so did Vaughn, despite warmer temperatures than the runners had competed in since late August. It’s difficult setting a personal best on Bellbrook’s hilly and obstacle-filled course that includes large boulders to navigate, several water crossings including one immediately before climbing a steep, muddy hill and, of course, the popular dogs that bark at runners from yards that line part of the course.

“It was a fun course. A lot of downhills and creek crossings,” Vaughn said. “The fans were fun, there was music playing and there were even people back by the houses. It’s eventful.”

Vaughn’s personal best is 18:55 set at the Mason Invitational on Sept. 9 where she finished sixth. As for the end of the season, her goal is to finish among the top 10 at the Division II state meet., and get the Jills to make a return trip. She finished 36th as a freshman.

“It’s kind of hard for her to run by herself when she’s all alone,” Oakwood coach Bryan Ammer said, “but she’s really focused and has a lot of drive.”

Bellbrook’s girls placed five among the top 13 overall and scored their No. 6 and No. 7 runners among the top 19. Faulkner and Kemper were followed by junior Cara Fine (20:45.9), junior Minami Ford (21:00.5), freshman Emily Pelfrey (21:17.6 13), junior Amira Faulkner (21:33.2) and sophomore Kayla Paul (22:08.8).

“They came to race today and they’re looking forward to the rest of the season,” Baumer said. “In practice (Faulkner and Kemper) are back and forth. They have a good work ethic. I think the girls have a nice pack and we were pretty tight with our top seven.”

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