DISTANCE RUNNERS OF THE MONTH

September
2005

Kelly Schwieterman

Senior at
 Springboro High School
 

P.R. 's
Cross Country 18:24
Track 5:04 (1600) 11:06 (3200)
Favorite Shoe Asics
Advice "When the leaves turn brown, it's time to wear the crown!"

College Choice
Ohio State University


 "Panthers’ Front Runner Chasing Record!"
     Springboro’s Kelly Schwieterman had a great junior year in cross country.  She won the MML overall title, was 2nd at districts, and 6th at regionals.  However, it was her performance at the state cross country meet that caught the attention of running enthusiasts.  Schwieterman had qualified for state as a freshmen and sophomore finishing 22nd and 50th respectively.  Kelly changed her game plan going into the 2004 state meet.  “I had run against Angela Bizzari (Mason) and Vanessa Gilbert (Fairmont) a couple times during the year.  I felt that I could stay up with the lead pack,” she said.  She did more than hang with the lead pack.  Schwieterman finished 3rd overall earning all state honors for the first time in her career. 
     A few weeks earlier Kelly recorded an 18:24 at the Fairmont Invitational tying Christy Grooms’ school record.  Schwieterman’s quest to break the record was slowed down by a summer hip injury.  “I was only able to run in June and August; I missed most of the month of July.  My muscles in my hip are weak, but I’ve been working on strengthening them,” she said.  Kelly is hoping to round into top shape by the MML meet.  “I think I’m ready to dip down into the 18’s again,” she predicted.
     Kelly began her running career in junior high.  “I decided to run track in junior high, but my parents encouraged me to do cross country as well,” she said.  As a freshmen, Schwieterman ran the second fastest time in the area that year with an 18:55 at the Trotwood district.  Growth spurts and injuries hampered Kelly as a sophomore.  However, she has worked through them and maintained her status as one of the top area runners for four years.
     Kelly’s work ethic has been influenced by her father’s enthusiasm for the sport and fellow senior standout Chad Balyo.  “My Dad really keeps up on all the other girls’ times in the area.  Chad helps me keep working harder on my training,” Kelly said. 
     Kelly also works very hard in the classroom.  She carries a 4.0 g.p.a. and is ranked in the top 15% of her class at Springboro.  She lists Ohio St., UD, Purdue, and Miami OH, as her college choices.  She is undecided on her major.  Good luck Kelly.


 
 Chad Balyo

Senior at
Springboro High School

P.R.'s
Cross Country
Track		 15:24
4:14 (1600)  9:18 (3200)
Advice "Train Hard, Race Harder!"
Favorite Shoe Nike
   

College Choices
Ohio State University



"Springboro Front Runner Leads the Pack!"
     Chad Balyo of Springboro High School is as focused as ever.  The senior has blazed to victories at the Bob Schul Invitational, Greenville Inv., and a second place finish at the mega-sized Tiffin Distance Carnival.  He’s not only winning but also winning handily.  At Schul, Balyo outdistanced Troy ’s Jacob Enke by 36 seconds.  A week later Balyo scorched Greenville ’s course in record fashion clocking in at 15:29 (also a school record).  His real test came at Tiffin .  The race featured Balyo, Ben Engelhardt (Westerville North), and Bo Waggoner ( Maumee ).  Spectators saw an outstanding race.  “We all stayed together for the first mile, which was really fast (4:45),” he said.  “Then with 600 meters to go Bo and Ben took off.  I was able to catch Bo (Waggoner), but Engelhardt had too much of a lead for me to kick down.”  Balyo finished second with a 15:30 to Engelhardt’s 15:28.  If everything goes as planned, the two will face each other at Scioto Downs with a possible state title on the line.
     Balyo’s path to the front of the pack required a switch in hobbies.  Soccer dominated his time up through junior high.  “My freshmen year I had to make a decision about playing soccer or running.  I always did well in the mile in 4th and 5th grade, so I ran Cross,” he said.  Chad also spent a summer with Jeff See ( Ohio St. ) and his teammates at a running camp at UNC Ashville.  “Jeff’s a great guy.  I learned a lot about running and training from him,” he said. 
     As a sophomore Balyo put together an impressive run in the 3200.  He nipped Troy ’s Levi Fox ( Ohio St. ) at regionals.  At state, the two battled to the end with Fox edging him by a few tenths.  His 9:18 was good enough for 3rd (3200) at the state meet earning him all state honors.  According to Balyo his junior year didn’t live up to his standards.  “I never put in the mileage I needed to run faster.  I made up my mind this past summer to do more.”   This past summer the senior logged 50-60 miles for 13 straight weeks.
      The summer work has put Balyo in contention for a top 5 finish at the state meet.  Chad has also been top notch student in the classroom.  He boasts a 4.0 g.p.a.  A  host of schools are vying for his services including:  Ohio St. , Miami OH, Purdue, and N.C. State.  Good luck Chad !