S. Range sophomore earns 12th in state race

Andra Sanders overcame a hip injury to become one of Ohio's elite runners.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- South Range High sophomore Andra Sanders has a habit of starting races too quickly, so when she passed the clock at the mile mark on Saturday, she made sure not to look at her time.
"I just had to run on the opposite end of the course," Sanders said, "and I kept my head down."
Two miles later, she held her head high.
After struggling through a hip injury last year, Sanders capped her first full season with a 12th place finish -- and a spot on the awards podium -- at the Division III girls state cross country meet at Scioto Downs.
"My dream was to make the podium," she said. "I'm just so happy."
Sanders watched last season's state meet from the grandstand, cheering on the Raiders' boys team.
"This was a lot different," she said. "You have so many emotions and it's so hard to stay focused. When I finished, it was the best feeling ever."
Goals
Sanders has two goals for next season -- make it back on the podium (an honor given to the top 15 finishers) and to make it to the state meet with her team.
Her coach, Jack Nemergut, is hoping for even more. After the race, he hugged Sanders and said, "Now you're gonna roll up your sleeves and get top-five next year."
McDonald -- which finished third last season -- placed 12th out of 16 teams and Badger sophomore Samantha Bonar placed 32nd.
"This was a great experience -- we're so excited to be here," McDonald coach Diane Krumpak said. "We really improved every week."
Running well
Salem sophomore Deirdre Clary placed ninth and her teammate, Erin Murphy, was 49th in Div. II.
"Nothing can explain this feeling," Clary said. "It's all or nothing, every single last ounce of energy goes into the race. It's awesome."
Clary was worried that it might be too warm -- not a usual concern in November -- but a morning rain lowered the temperature slightly, which made for good running weather.
The only thing that could have made the day better was if the Quakers had qualified as a team, Clary said.
"It's a little harder to motivate yourself, but it's how hard you want it, too," she said.
Poland junior Colleen Moran placed 148th in her first trip to the state meet.
In Div. I, Boardman senior Brittany Durkin placed 127th to cap a stellar high school career. Durkin, who also qualified as a sophomore, is the only area girl to advance to the Div. I state meet in the past three years.