DISTANCE RUNNERS OF THE MONTH
October


Carol Eckerly

Senior at
 Beavercreek High School
 

P.R. 's
Cross Country 18:15
Track 5:03 (1600) 10:47 (3200)
   
Favorite Shoe Addidas
Advice "Work Hard, Don't Forget to Have Fun!"

College Choice
MIAMI UNIVERSITY


 "Creek's Eckerly is Back!"
     Beavercreek running star Carol Eckerly spent last spring as an unwilling spectator at track meets.  Sidelined for nearly her entire junior track season with achilles tendonitis, the all-Ohio runner began looking to summer to get healthy.
Eckerly switched training shoes and gradually began to work her way back into shape over the summer.  “I started the summer running around 14 miles per week and eventually worked up to 40,” explained the senior.  “I didn’t want to risk injury again!”  Her patience paid off.  Eckerly, again has the top D-I time in the area, recording a personal best 18:22 at the Pickerington Invitational.
     She began her running career as a hurdler on the Beavers’ junior high track team.  Eventually, her coaches worked her into the 1600 near the end of the year.  Things began to click for Carol.  Concentrating on distance as a freshmen, Eckerly began the season clocking in at 5:50 consistently.  By mid-season she hit what most athletes call “the zone”.  Each week she improved 10-15 seconds,  “Things just started to fall into place.  My times kept getting faster and faster.  I began to think about qualifying for regionals.”  Eckerly not only qualified for regionals.  Her second place finish at regionals earned her a ticket to the state meet.  “It was a huge thrill for me.  I kept hoping for it, and it just happened,” stated the two time state qualifier in track.
     Her sophomore year was even better.  A 17th place finish at the state meet in cross country was followed up by a 6th place finish and all state honors in track that spring.  The following cross country season Eckerly posted the area's top time in D-I (18:27) and finished 8th at the state meet.  
     Eckerly, along with her teammates, hope to get in the “post-season zone”.  Creek’ will look to upset top ranked Centerville at the GWOC meet, and Eckerly will look to win her third consecutive GWOC title.  According to Eckerly it will only get tougher from there, “Our region is tough, but we think we have a good chance.  You never know.”
     Carol is also an outstanding student with a 4.5 g.p.a.  She has narrowed her choices down to Miami University and the University of Dayton.  She is leaning towards majoring in History Education.  Good Luck Carol!


 
 Drew Rivers

Senior at
Twin Valley  South High School

P.R.'s
Cross Country
Track		 16:26
4:26 (1600)  1:54 (800)
Advice "Pain is Temporary and Pride is Forever!"
Favorite Shoe New Balance
   

College Choices
DAYTON, KENT STATE



"Rivers Rolls On!"
     Twin Valley South’s Drew Rivers is on a streak.  The senior from West Alexandria has won the last five invitationals he’s raced.  “He’s very consistent,” Rivers’ coach Mike Fahrenholz stated.  “He is a tremendous competitor.”  Rivers recorded his best performance to date at this year’s Brookville Invitational.  He out-dueled Lemon Monroe’s Seth Darrell in route to a career best 16:26 and a first place finish.  Rivers followed the Brookville win up with another victory at the competitive Firebird Invitational.
     Last season, Rivers put together a string of nine consecutive wins, including a district title.  “Winning the district meet was the highlight of the streak last year.  There were some good runners in our district,” stated the two-time CCC cross country champ.  A sixth place finish at the regional meet earned him a trip to Columbus for the state meet.  Rivers finished 22nd clocking in at 16:42.  He also qualified for state in the 1600 in track and recorded the fastest D-III 1600 time in the area (4:28).
     Rivers began running as a sprinter in junior high .  By the end of his eighth grade track season, his coach stuck him in the mile.  After focusing mainly on the 4x400 and 800 as a freshmen, Rivers had a break out race as a sophomore by winning the 1600 at the Eaton freshmen/sophomore meet, “After I won that race, started concentrating on the mile a little more.”  As a sophomore Rivers recorded a 4:34 in the 1600 and a 4:28 and 10th place finish at the state meet as a junior.
     He only averaged around 10-15 miles per week over this past summer.  However, he has quickly rounded into top form at the right time.  The Panthers are looking to capture the CCC title and Rivers a third consecutive CCC individual title.  Drew hopes to continue his impressive run,  “Hopefully, I can keep the streak going through regionals.  It will be tough though.”  Rivers and Tyler Barga (Versailles) are the top two finishers returning from last year’s Troy Regional.
     Rivers is beginning to the draw the attention of several schools.  He has decided to give up basketball in the winter to focus on the upcoming track season.  Good luck Drew!