Boys cross country is off and running

Nate Barnes has a look at the top competitors this season, including meets to watch and rosters for area squads.

No one holds Justin Iler to a higher standard than himself.

The senior at University is meticulous in his approach to cross country, researching cutting-edge methods to maximize his training. Off the course, he plans to study electrical engineering in college to pursue a career in the automotive industry.

Iler’s goals are defined to begin his senior cross country season. He wants to win the Division I state meet in Hebron, then qualify for the Nike and Foot Locker National meets.

“I haven’t been able to do that these past few years,” Iler said. “I’m looking forward to doing it.”

Iler’s improved his season-ending result each of the past three years.

Following a regional qualification as a freshman, Iler advanced to National Trail Raceway for the first time as a sophomore. Spiked by another runner early in the race, he was dissatisfied by his 28th-place result in 2017.

A year later, Iler finished 10th in the 2018 D-I state race en route to recognition as The News-Herald’s runner of the year. This fall, he wants to finish atop the state podium.

After a successful track and field season in which he placed fourth in the twomile at the state meet, Iler’s implemented track workouts into his training regimen over the summer. He felt he lost a few places in cross country races during recent years and wanted to increase his power on the course.

“Over the past few seasons, I’ve focused more on endurance,” Iler said. “Right now, I think it’s a great time to emphasize my speed and try to get that under control, work on that finishing kick.”

Iler opened his senior season with a victory on his home course, winning the George Clements Invitational at University in 16 minutes, 22 seconds.

Coach Jack Somers said the sky is the limit for Iler’s senior season. He sees Iler as being in his best form to date at the start of 2019.

Somers has coached at University for 14 years and enters his fifth season as the head cross country coach. Few runners match Iler’s combination of talent and a desire to learn as much as he can about the sport.

“It’s like coaching with another coach,” Somers said. “It’s exciting — he loves running and he loves the sport. He’s very dedicated, and he’s just very interested in learning as much as he can about the sport and how to get better.”

What excites Somers most about Iler’s senior year isn’t his top runner’s individual preparation. A cocaptain of this year’s team, Somers notes marked improvement in Iler’s leadership.

Iler returning from a workout around University’s campus or Cleveland Metroparks’ nearby Polo Field first, and alone, was a common sight the last few years. Recently, Somers watched as Iler finished a workout flanked by junior Griffin Walsh and sophomore Nate Miller — a visible indication of Iler’s investment toward the Preppers’ team success.

“I think that they pushed themselves to do that because he’s really bringing them along this year,” Somers said. “He’s making himself more accessible. This year he’s saying, ‘Come with me. Let’s get good together.’ That’s been really cool to see.”

Due in part to Iler’s example, Somers also notices more runners in his program talking openly about their desire to run for a college program.

University qualified for the state meet as a team in 2018, where the Preppers placed 15th. Senior Graham Clark, Walsh and Miller return with that experience in hand and give the Preppers an elite group of four runners at the front of their pack. Junior Ben LaFave demonstrated his potential to ascend into University’s high-caliber scoring five as he placed sixth at the Clements Invitational in 17 minutes, 28 seconds Aug. 24.

Iler identified a top-eight finish for University at the 2019 state meet as the team’s goal. He possesses a heightened awareness of not only finishing his own career strong, but leaving a mark on the program.

“I’m trying to enjoy the process,” Iler said. “Take it one meet at a time and work as hard as I can with these guys. I know these guys have a little bit more years left in school and I’m trying to make a good example so they can continue on with this legacy here at US.”