Longhorns’ Groppe makes first state meet

Sophomore runner blazes trail for her teammates

Lutheran West’s Kristin Groppe has been blazing a trail for the Longhorns this season. On Nov. 4 at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Groppe will compete in her first state meet, after placing sixth (19:33.44) at the Division III regional meet at Boardman last week. But Groppe has more than just blazed a trail — the sophomore has guided a young Lutheran West team under her wings, wanting to set an example for them. The Longhorns have no seniors on their team — and for Groppe, that means the leadership falls on her shoulders.

“It’s been great. I like to hang out with all of the freshmen and teach them how to work,” Groppe said.

Groppe has been dominant during the postseason, capturing the Patriot Athletic Conference title (19:24.6) and district title (19:26). She’s the first Longhorn to qualify to the state meet since 2015.

Groppe has been training since mid-June, like most cross country runners, and to finally achieve her dream goal of making it to the state meet is something she doesn’t take for granted.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished

something,” she said. “It’s very good to know that all of the hard work has been paid off and that I hit my goal for the season.”

The course at Hebron is known as a fast one, and personal records can easily be achieved if a runner runs a great race. Groppe has that on her mind this Saturday.

“I’m hoping to get closer to my PR which is a 19:08, and lately I’ve been in the 19:30 range, but I believe I can probably break that time,” she added.

Her coach Anjanette Whitman, in her fourth season, qualified for the state meet in cross country twice at Rocky River, and three times in track (mile, 3,200), winning the state title in the mile her senior year.

Whitman has told Groppe countless stories of the golden days when she ran — and Groppe has soaked in that knowledge like a sponge.

“I’ve learned a lot about her experiences and the stories she’s told me,” Groppe said. “I learned a lot about her previous teams. She’s told me about running in college and what I need to have to get noticed.”

Under Whitman’s watchful eye, Groppe is expected to reach her full potential when it’s all said and done.

Whitman is meticulous when it comes to grooming her athletes, but she knew right away that Groppe had state potential.

“She runs very competitive,” Whitman said. “She clears her mind of everything and goes out there to do everything she can to accomplish her goal. I saw her basically when she was in middle school and saw her potential there. I was excited to have her come to the high school level where everything goes up to a higher standard.”

Groppe began running in the seventh grade at a public school in the Columbus area, and moved to Cleveland in the eighth grade.. She qualified to the

state meet in track and field this past spring in the 4x400 relay. Running runs in her family — her father, mother, sister and younger brother all ran.

She’s a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball in the winter, and swimming during the summer.

Her favorite subject is math, and added doing something in the math field is what she wants to do for a living in the future.

Groppe has a calm demeanor on the course — but off of it?

“She is definitely not quiet,” Whitman said while laughing. “She’s very bubbly, that’s the best way I can describe her. She loves to have fun. You’ll see her dancing and singing.”

Some sophomores might feel nervous before the biggest race of their lives — but Groppe knows the preparation she has put in helps calm those nerves.

“I feel like I’m ready for it,” she added. “All of my teammates and friends are going out there with me to watch, so I’m excited to see everyone.”

Groppe