The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
...AND THEY’RE OFF!
Lessons learned from 2017 experience result in Jog victory for college runner
Runners including William Carter (bib No. 179), Gary Daignault (2786), Tommy Mooney (446), Zoe Seabeck (587), Joseph Vojacek (598), Katie Seabeck (85) and Doug Seabeck (84) begin the Johnnycake Jog 5-mile run on July 8 in Painesville Township. This year marked the 42nd running of Ohio’s Finest Five-Miler and 5K run/walk.
“I really like this race because I like the atmosphere and the enthusiasm from everyone, and it’s a great community out here.” — Jog women’s division winner Ashley Potter
Ashley Potter’s distance coaches at the University of Akron would have been proud July 8 as Potter took on the Johnnycake Jog.
Whether it’s packing on the track in distance or the nuance of a course in cross country, there is always a lesson to be learned with each race experience.
Potter learned from her Jog debut in 2017 — and it carried over in a big way.
The two-time 3,200-meter run state qualifier for Cloverleaf, who was a redshirt junior this past spring for the Zips, was dominant in capturing her first Jog crown with a time of 30 minutes, 16.24 seconds.
Potter was well over two minutes ahead of former Riverside standout Katie Durisin, who was second in 32:22.37, and area prodigy Savannah Dennison, who took third in 32:54.01.
“I ran this last year, and I did a little bit better than last year,” Potter said. “I came out there to see what I could do before I go into the season — I run for the University of Akron. So it was a nice time to see what kind of shape I’m in right now as we head into the season.
“I really like this race because I like the atmosphere and the enthusiasm from everyone, and it’s a great community out here.”
Having not competed in Ohio’s Finest Five-Miler prior to 2017, Potter arrived at the Lake County Fairgrounds unaware the course has its share of undulation but still managed a solid fourth in 30:45.7. She was aware this time, though, and adjusted beautifully to drop considerably.
“This is definitely a hilly course,” Potter said. “So I came ready for that and expecting that. But I was a little surprised because usually there’s more ladies running, but it was still fun that we all go out there and race.
“Today was just like a workout for me before I came into actual racing season. I had about two weeks off and about a month of just easy running. This is when I’m finally getting back into it. This is my first workout back, so this is exciting.”
In the track and field community, six degrees of separation usually doesn’t take much effort. In addition to getting acclimated to this area through a pair of Jogs, Potter also knows one of this area’s track and field greats well — Lake Catholic graduate and Akron champion pole vaulter Matt Ludwig.
“He is such a great guy,” Potter said. “He is so, so nice. He has such great sportsmanship. He always comes out and makes sure he says good luck to everyone, good luck, and he watches all the events even though he’s still competing in his own event. He’s just a great athlete and a great guy.”
Potter displayed some of her great athlete prowess to etch her name in Jog lore.
Summer road racing can act as a conduit between distance events in track and cross country season. And if her Jog performance was indicative, things appear to be in good stead.
“My whole family runs, and my grandpa and my mother ran while she was growing up, so it’s kind of like a tradition.” Potter said. “And so I started out last year (at the Jog) because (my grandfather) didn’t want to run it alone. So I came up here, and I ran it. I wanted to come back and see what I could do — a nice test run.
“I just love racing. It’s great to get back into it.”
Area division champions at the Jog were Ella Despenses (12-and-under, Painesville), Ava Nelson (13-15, Mentor), Alyssa Fixler (16-19, Beachwood), Elise Croff (20-24, Painesville), Michelle Taylor (2529, Mentor), Becky Deweese (30-34, Painesville), Lindsey Meier Ahrens (3539, Mentor), Dina Fixler (40-44, Beachwood), Tricia Kelly (masters, Painesville), Mary Grdadolnik (45-49, Painesville), Carol Knez (50-54, Mentor), Mary Tresger (55-59), Jeannie Rice (70-74, Mentor) and Jean Toth (75-andover, Wickliffe).