|
|
Her time of 20 minutes, 24.07 seconds was nothing to write home about, but her finish won't soon be forgotten by anyone in Burton wearing purple and gold.
Markwardt broke a tibia during the race and collapsed in the final stretch, but still managed to finish 67th overall, helping the Badgers to a remarkable fourth-place finish in the team standings.
"She said she heard it crack about three times while she was running," Berkshire coach Julie Cole said. "When she tried to do her final kick there, it just gave out on her."
Markwardt's leg gave out, but she did not. The gutty senior crawled the last 15 meters and was the Badgers' fifth scorer.
"I feel so honored to be on her team," said sophomore Alex Bowers, the fastest of five Badgers who ran a personal-best time (19:29.67, 28th overall). "She just makes us proud because she goes out and runs through that pain."
The Badgers' big day almost overshadowed Gilmour's quest to repeat as Division III state champion. Sophomore Bekka Simko took All-Ohio honors with an 11th-place finish in 19:05.81, but the Lancers were one agonizing point short, dropping a 119-120 heartbreaker to Versailles.
"It was a great field today," Gilmour coach Matt Lindley said. "We knew there were five or six teams capable of winning. We just went out and ran great races. We had some fantastic PRs. Five of the girls ran PRs. That's all you can do.
"I couldn't feel better right now. The girls just ran awesome races. They were strong and tough, and they didn't fade under the pressure like some teams do when they get down here - bright lights and big city and all that, and they're not used to it. Our girls ran fantastic."
As did a pair of area runners in Division II. Perry freshman Abbie Clifford and Chagrin Falls senior Martha Bentz each earned All-Ohio honors.
Clifford was diagnosed with mononucleosis during the week and missed two practices, but finished fifth overall in 18:32.13, just missing a season-best time.
"I felt pretty good," Clifford said. "I think the first 800 (meters) was the worst. ... I think I was really nervous and just psyched myself out a little."
For Bentz, who was 12th in 18:58.19, standing on the All-Ohio podium was a satisfying conclusion to her high school career in a Chagrin uniform.
"I feel really good about it," she said. "I went out fast because if you're out on the end (of the starting line), you need to make sure you get out so you don't get collapsed on.
"I just wanted to make sure when I crossed the finish line that I didn't regret anything," Bentz said. "And I don't. I'm very happy about it."
