The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Clute, Keller top in meet
Katie Clute of Olmsted Falls and Ryan Keller of Avon Lake came in first and second at the Southwestern Conference Preview Meet on a chilly Aug. 24 morning at Lorain County Community College.
Keller, a senior at Avon Lake, finished with a time of 17 minutes, 18 seconds. Clute, a freshman, finished with a time of 20:13.
Keller and Clute said they felt like the course was pretty good overall Aug. 24.
“I originally didn’t like this course,” Keller said. “We personally run it four times a year, but it’s kind of like our home territory now. And to see it in such good condition after conference last year was just torrential downpour, it was a miracle. I really do love this course.”
Clute added: “It was a really good course. It was very flat, except the two hills. I liked how we got to go in the woods, and it was shaded and cool in there.”
For Keller, him and one of his teammates, Matt Henry, were side by side coming down the finish line. Henry finished with a time of 17:19 and came in third.
“We figured out last track season when we met,” Keller said. “I’m in marching band, so I just match his stride a little bit, you know? And next thing you know, we were just doing a lot better. So that’s kind of how we were hoping to do it. My goal is to stick with him, his goal is to stick with me and we did it.”
With it being early in the season still, Keller and Clute said they have specific goals they are striving toward.
“I want to try and break at least 20 and then... Yeah, just try and break 20,” Clute said.
Keller added: “Goal for the season... I’ve wanted to go sub 17 since freshman year and something’s always come up, you know? Whether it be me not running well or an injury... it’s just like, “I want to break to 17.” I don’t know if I... I don’t think I did today. You know what? I did all right, you know? I did a good race. I ran a good race. I’m proud of that.”