DISTANCE RUNNERS
OF THE MONTH
October


Vanessa Gilbert

Senior at
 Fairmont High School
 

P.R. 's
Cross Country 18:06
Track 2:20 (800)
  5:04 (1600)  10:53 (3200)
Advice "Always Be Thankful for Your Gifts"
Favorite Shoe New Balance 717 

College Choice
 Ball State

 
  "Fairmont's Gilbert one of State's Best!"

     Fairmont senior Vanessa Gilbert’s head was spinning.  She was about to line up for her first appearance at the Division I State Cross Country Meet.  “I really wasn’t nervous,” Gilbert remembered.  “I was just so happy to be there.”  Gilbert, then a junior, finished 17th clocking in at 19:13. 
     Nearly a year later the Firebirds’ lead runner is on pace to toe the line at Scioto Downs again.  She has put together an impressive senior resume.  She has recorded victories at the Bob Schul Invitational, Kings Inv., Middletown Inv., out-dueled defending DII champ Emily Thompson (Taylor) at the Taylor Invitational, and recently won the GWOC meet.
     Gilbert has also gone head to head with former DI champ Angela Bizzari (Mason).  Bizarri pulled away at the Alliance Running Invitational in the final 800 meters to win by 15 seconds.  A couple weeks later Bizarri edged Gilbert by a mere 5 seconds at the Firebird Invitational.  Her 18:06 runner-up finish established a new personal best
     Vanessa credits her coaches Pat Miller and Steve Hippenmeyer for much of her success.  “Both of them get real excited at meets which makes it a lot more fun,” said Gilbert.  However, her family provided the influence which lead her to a running career.  “My brother Gabe ran cross country in high school.  I also went to his meets.  People just started asking if I was going to run,” she said.  Vanessa’s sister and former teammate, Natalie, currently running for Evansville (IN), provided some motivation as well.
     Gilbert finished up a strong track season last spring (5:05 1600) and immediately began preparing for this year’s cross season.  She logged on average 40 miles per week throughout the summer.  Her dedication to running is also matched in the classroom.  Vanessa carries a 4.0 g.p.a. and is tied for first in her class.  Vanessa has signed with Ball St.   She plans on majoring in Landscape Architecture.  Good luck Vanessa!


 
 Nik Schweikert
Senior at
Beavercreek  High School
PR's
Cross Country 15:42
Track 4:17 (1600)   9:53 (3200)
Advice "Work harder than they can today, so that you can do what they can't tomorrow!"
Favorite Shoe Nike Air Max
   

College Choice
Miami (OH), Kentucky, Clemson



"Creek's Nik is Quick!"
     Beavercreek ’s head cross country coach Jack Holliday had an early Christmas present in the fall of 2003.  His new number one runner was delivered all the way from Dyersburg , TN.   Nik Schweikert made an immediate impact for Creek.  He finished a close second at the GWOC meet to Troy ’s Levi Fox in a thrilling sprint battle over the last 100 meters.  “Even though he out-kicked me, it was fun to be a part of it,” said Schweikert.
     Schweikert’s path to joining the area’s elite runners began in Dyersburg .  Nik began running cross country his freshmen year of high school to get in shape for basketball.  After qualifying for the Tennessee state cross country meet as a sophomore, the family decided to move back to Ohio .  “We liked Beavercreek because they had good schools and a strong cross country program,” stated Schweikert.
     It seemed to be a perfect fit.  The Beavers captured the GWOC title and qualified for the Troy regional meet.  However, Creek finished 6th at regionals with Schweikert finishing 14th and qualifying for the state meet.  A week later Nik finished 35th at state.  Last spring Schweikert recorded a 4:19 (1600) and 9:53 (3200).  This summer he logged on average 50 miles per week.
     Nik began his senior year with an impressive victory at the Lakota Invitational.  He followed that performance by out-kicking rival and friend Levi Fox at the Troy Invitational for the overall title.  Schweikert has an even stronger supporting cast this year.  “We haven’t been totally healthy since Troy .  If we get things together, we think we can beat anyone, “added Schweikert.
     Schweikert’s early season victories have increased his recruiting stock.  Miami University , Kentucky , and Clemson are currently lobbying for his services.  Nik will make his decision in the spring and hopes to major in Secondary Education.