PC's Wiechman, Perkins' Smelcer win regional races

TIFFIN — The weight of expectations didn't slow down Port Clinton's Morgan Wiechman, Huron's Sage Edgerly-Bork or Perkins' Joel Smelcer. Saturday at Hedges-Boyer Park, those three led an impressive day for area cross country runners. Starting the day off in the boys Division IV race was Edgerly-Bork, who finished as regional runner-up in a time of 15:48.81. "Today was definitely a lot better," Edgerly-Bork said. "I just got new shoes and I think that helped a lot." The Huron senior now turns his focus to the last cross country race of his outstanding career at state next week. "It was nice to see Sage sort of where he was last year," Huron coach Taylor Miller said. "Hopefully a race like this builds some confidence for him and he goes even faster next week." Edgerly-Bork will look to add on to his All-Ohio performance last year, when he finished 11th in 15:49.61. "I think state is going to be a lot better," Edgerly-Bork said. "I feel good to finally get under 16 this year and hopefully drop a PR next week." Another impressive performance in the same race came from Margaretta's Cole Zang, who also qualified for state in sixth with a time of 16:05.09. "I think the race went great," Zang said. "I have been getting in some very good workouts, and have put in over 600 miles this summer which has prepared me for this moment." Zang will look to break Margaretta's school record next weekend. "The last thing is to have a good week of practice and go after that school record," Zang said. Wiechman continued her outstanding season by winning the Division III girls race in a blazing time of 18:07.42. "Today, I felt really good," Wiechman said. "I was feeling a little bit heavy this week, but I knew I did not need an A-plus race today." After racing out to the front in the first mile, the senior blitzed the 3.1-mile course to follow up her district championship. Wiechman has one thing on her mind and that is the gold medal next week at Fortress Obetz. "The goal is to definitely be at the top of that podium," Wiechman said. "I feel that would be the perfect way to encapsulate my high school career because I have worked so hard and I know my fitness level is there." Smelcer, a junior, ran out front early en route to a regional championship time of 15:13.36. For Smelcer, this season has been everything and more, but there are still a lot of goals in front of the outstanding runner. The big one is to break Scott Fry's school record and reach All-Ohio status. Last year as a sophomore, he placed 63rd in 16:15.75. "There is someone in the 14:40s and that is the goal next week," Smelcer said. "I just got to spot that guy and go after him." St. Mary Central Catholic's Eli Etchill and Nicolette Hile both qualified for state. Etchill finished 25th in 16:42.79 in the boys Division IV race. Hile finished 26th in 20:05.71. In Division II, Norwalk's Saige Konik placed 16th in 19:18.49 to advance to state.