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Busy Boardman sophomore Hadley takes 5th at state cross country meet
By bill sullivan
boardman
If you find yourself in the Boardman area and catch a quick glimpse of a blur, clad in maroon and white, don’t be alarmed.
That’s not an aspiring superhero. That’s Boardman High sophomore Mark Hadley on his way to another sporting event. In a hurry.
Saturday afternoon Hadley placed fifth in the state Division I cross country meet.
His time of 15:31 at the state meet bettered his personal best by 29 seconds and is the second-best clocking in Boardman history.
“I learned that I can do a lot more than I think I can,” Hadley said. “My expectations were blown away.”
He had set goals for the state meet — finish in the top 15 and break 16 minutes — but as Hadley neared the finish line, he sensed the school mark was within reach.
“That’s my goal [next year],” he said.
On Sunday, Hadley went to basketball practice. After playing junior varsity basketball as a freshman, he should be on the varsity team this winter.
“My favorite sport used to be basketball. Running is now,” Hadley said.
In the spring Hadley will rejoin the Boardman track team where he was a national qualifier in the 1600 meters.
He was the Federal League cross country champ and was chosen the league’s athlete of the year, a first in Boardman history.
Then he won the district and took third in the regional.
“His state goal was to be in the 15s [minutes] and getting on the podium [top 15],” said Boardman cross country coach John Phillips said. “He ended up beating the kid who won regional. He ran a great race, all around.”