OBETZ — Eaton’s Kolby Hamilton and Tanner Davis capped off the cross country season by earning second team all-Ohio honors at the Boys State Cross Country championships on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park.
“What a great way to end the season with athletes representing our program, their families, the school and the entire community at the state championships,” Eaton coach Randy McKinney said.
Hamilton, a senior, was making his second appearance at state, while Davis, a sophomore, was making his first trip to the final meet of the season.
“I thought they each had very solid races although they didn’t get season PR’s,” McKinney said. “The wind was not very friendly during the race. The worst part was on the second loop outside the stadium that went around the starting line area. The wind was pretty intense at times in that open area which accounted for the slower race times on the day.”
At the quarter-mile mark Hamilton was 93rd and Davis was 106th. By the mile marker, Hamilton had moved up 15 spots to 78th and Davis was 85th.
At the two-mile mark, Hamilton was 73rd and Davis was 79th.
“They both agreed that they got out a little far back in the field, which is tough to make up at that level, but they each did an outstanding job moving up in the field of 180 runners over the last half of the race,” McKinney said. “They each moved up 20 places over the last mile to earn 2nd team all-state honors.”
Hamilton finished in 17 minutes, 04.5 seconds. Davis turned in a time of 17:08.1
“What an accomplishment to get to this level, so few Cross Country athletes ever get to the State Championships,” McKinney said. “I’m very proud of both young men and the outstanding season they had this fall. Tanner had a really big breakthrough season that he can build upon to get to the next level over the next two years.”
McKinney said Hamilton capped off an outstanding career.
“For Kolby I can’t say enough positive things about the quality individual he is to go along with an outstanding four-year high school career at Eaton,” McKinney said. “He has helped the boys team achieve some major team accomplishments — two league titles, three regional appearances to name just a couple. Kolby has been a great role model and leader for our program and in our school. I am very honored to have had the opportunity to work with him as his coach throughout his high school career.”
