Cross Country: Davidson girls, Jerome's Ricchiuti shine at Hot Summer Bash
Saturday, September 2, 2023
By Jarrod Ulrey
julrey@cbussports.com
Dublin Jerome’s Sam Ricchiuti won the boys varsity race of the Hot Summer Bash cross country meet Sept. 2 at Hilliard Davidson. Photo: Jarrod Ulrey
The temperature had been climbing all morning as one of her favorite meets was about to begin Saturday when Hilliard Davidson sophomore girls cross country runner Erica Kaulen experienced an unexpected challenge.
“Right before the gun went off, I started puking,” Kaulen said. “I don’t know if I would have done better without doing that. I’ve never puked before a race before and this is my home course, and I love being able to run on my home course, so I shouldn’t be that nervous.”
One thing that was different for Kaulen after that moment, though, is how much composure she then showed.
Typically in the middle of the Wildcats’ top seven a year ago when they put together a season capped by a Division I state runner-up finish, Kaulen has emerged as one of central Ohio’s elite runners.
At the Hot Summer Bash at Davidson which featured seven Division I programs ranked in the top 20 in the state, the Wildcats captured the title with 75 points as Kaulen finished third in 18 minutes, 31.2 seconds.
“I was mentally very weak (last season),” Kaulen said. “Someone would touch me and I would fall down and be like, ‘I’m done.’ Now I’m using elbows when needed and I’m very defensive and know what to do. (Coach Nate) King has taught me to believe in myself and in the training.”
While Davidson was ranked second in the first state poll behind Mason, sixth-ranked Avon finished runner-up at the Hot Summer Bash with 122 points and Beavercreek placed third (126).
Olentangy Liberty was fourth (127), Upper Arlington finished fifth (197), Gahanna Lincoln was sixth (220) and Granville placed seventh (232).
Olentangy Orange’s Brooke Chapman finished fifth in the Hot Summer Bash girls varsity race Sept. 2 at Hilliard Davidson. Photo: Jarrod Ulrey
“For (Kaulen), it’s a matter of developing consistency because she had moments like that last year, but they were few and far between,” King said.
“She’s ironed it out. There was a really elite group of four to five runners (at the Hot Summer Bash) and they’re probably all going to be on the podium in November at the state meet. Team-wise we kind of struggled at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots, but our depth was really solid.
“This meet draws three of the four regions throughout the state with good teams. It’s really fun. They all get to have a potluck and T-shirt exchange.”
Olentangy Orange sophomore Brooke Chapman came in fifth (18:46.9), Liberty senior Julia Bockenstette was sixth (18:57.7) and Olentangy Berlin junior Grace Heitkamp finished ninth (19:09.5).
“It was hot,” said Chapman, who was 30th at state last season. “I got a season’s best and I didn’t feel great the whole race, but towards the end, I pushed it in and it was good. We’re doing well as a team and our practices and workouts have been good even with the hot weather.
“I think I’ve grown as a runner. I learned a lot from (last year’s state meet). I could have done better, but I’m excited for this year and for our team individually.”
Jerome senior Sam Ricchiuti, who was last year’s boys state runner-up, was in control throughout his race at the Hot Summer Bash and won in 15:21.6.
“I feel great,” Ricchiuti said. “I just feel fitter than last year. I don’t want to peak at the beginning of the season. (This is) a good sign.”
The boys varsity race begins at the Hot Summer Bash on Sept. 2 at Hilliard Davidson. Photo: Jarrod Ulrey
Led by junior Jacob Bolton’s eighth-place finish (15:51.9), Dublin Coffman won the race with 107 points, with Massillon Jackson finishing runner-up (117) followed by Cincinnati St. Xavier (133), Orange (143), Jerome (155), Centerville (175) and Davidson (188).
Senior Thomas McMahon, who helped UA finish 12th (298), has emerged as one of central Ohio’s best after finishing 67th at state last season.
He turned in a fourth-place finish in a program-best 15:38.2.
“I have a bit of a cold right now, so I’m excited to race,” McMahon said. “I just wanted to get out in the front pack, so I was happy with my race and my time. My training’s been consistent and I’ve been hitting 60 miles a week right now, so that’s pretty good.
“Right now my time goal is anything under 15:30. It’s definitely tough because you’re compared to a lot of great guys and there’s a lot of guys fighting to get that top spot. I’d like to think I’m in the conversation for the top spot, but I don’t know if I am yet.”
Orange senior Saketh Rudraraju hung with Ricchiuti for portions of the race before settling for a fifth-place finish (15:42.1).
Gahanna junior Owen Towler finished 10th (15:55.0), Orange junior Matthew Schroff was 11th (15:55.9) and Pickerington North sophomore Mick Temple placed 12th (15:58.3).
Also for Coffman, senior Caden Ozbun was 15th (16:08.3), senior Zac Heyob placed 22nd (16:28.4) and senior Jeremy Bons was 25th (16:31.8).
“My coach said today was high-risk, high-reward, so go out hard,” Rudraraju said. “It felt comfortable, but at the final mile, I don’t think mentally I was there. Today the goal was to rip it, have a big (personal-best time), win, and use this race as kind of a preview for state. It was going well until the final mile, but then it just wasn’t there.”