Brumfield finished the 5K race (3.1 miles) in 18:28.5, and it was the first individual title of her career. She never won a meet as a Tippecanoe High School runner or in middle school, although she’s earned second-team all-conference honors with the Raiders.
“She’s so solid and diligent about her work,” Williamson said. “She’s got a real passion for running. There’s not a day she doesn’t do something to get better. She’s just so consistent.”
Williamson said he occasionally has butted heads with Brumfield and his other top runners because they are driven to excel, and he doesn’t want them to peak too early. But a competitive nature can be an asset, too.
“Hailey is a junior, so she’s used to me playing that role. That’s my favorite role as a coach — when you get really motivated kids, and you hold them back, as opposed to pushing kids constantly,” he said.
“It’s been fun to see her growth because she realizes when to push and when to hold back. She’s been really patient through the early part of the season because she knows she wants to run her best at the end of the season.”
Aurora Turner, a junior from Beavercreek High School, was fifth in 19:00.6. Jessica Swartz, a senior from London, was eighth (19:04.6); Molly Kearns, a sophomore from Russia, ninth (19:09.1); and Victoria Angelopoulos, a sophomore from Centerville, 11th (19:15.9).
Angelopoulos is an 800-meter standout in track and was competing in her first meet of the season.
“She wasn’t even going to run cross country for us this year because she’s more of a track girl,” Williamson said. “I let her run on Saturday just more for a workout, and she ended up being our fifth girl. She cut a huge amount of time off her best time from the year before.
“We talked about it afterward, and I said, ‘I’d be stupid as a coach to not run our fifth-best runner the rest of the season.’ And she said, ‘Yeah, I’m all for it.’ She’s such a team person. She’s just like Hailey — a super-positive girl and excited about the season.”
The Wright State men finished third among 12 teams at Cedarville. Nathan Dunn, a sophomore from Covington, led the way with a sixth-place showing in the 8K race (4.97 miles) with a time of 26:17.0.
Volleyball: Senior Katie Klusman was named the Horizon League offensive player of the week, while classmate Jessie Thornton won defensive honors after leading the Raiders to the Chicago State Invitational title.
Klusman, an outside hitter from Cincinnati, racked up 43 kills. Thornton, a libero from Louisville, notched 64 digs and two service aces as the Raiders swept Southeast Missouri, Louisiana and Chicago State.
Wright State (6-7) begins Horizon League play at IUPUI on Friday and Northern Kentucky on Saturday.
Men's soccer: Alec Phillippe, a sophomore forward from Milwaukee, was named the league's offensive player of the week after posting all three of the Raiders' assists as they beat UIC 2-0 and Duquesne 1-0.
Teammate A.J. Paterson won the award Sept. 5.
Wright State, 5-2-1 overall and 2-0 in the league, has won four straight matches and hosts Green Bay at 7 p..m. Saturday.
About the Author