Galion cross country team returns stronger

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GALION — Long-time coach George Guins has big expectations for the 2017 version of Galion’s cross country teams.

“I expect both teams to be better than last year,” he said. “Both the boys and the girls teams are working harder and are more intense.”

Guins will once again a batch of runners onto courses all over this part of Ohio. He’s done that for the last 49 years. This will be No. 50 for the area coaching icon. Out of those 49 years of experience, the last 40 have been with Galion. The previous nine were with Bucyrus. Guins had decided that this fall will be his final season coaching the Galion Tigers cross country teams. Guins’ assistant, Cindy Conner, is starting her sixth season with the team.

Last year’s edition of Tigers saw the boys finishing fifth of eight teams in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, while the girls squad finished sixth of eight.

The Tigers boys team lost some key elements from last year’s group in the form of Bryce Barnhart, Lucas Conner, Colin McCullough, Nic Oehler and Matt Sparks.

Luke Eisnaugle will headline the returning letter winners as he will be running for his fourth varsity letter. Other returning letter winners and letters won are: Kurt Ensman (2), Weston Rose (2), Mikey Stover (2), Brenden Ganshorn (1), Garrett Murphy (1) and Braxton Tate (1). Of all of the runners returning or graduated, Tate ran the fastest time last season, finishing with a time of 17:27.

On the Lady Tigers’ side, coach Guins lost five key runners to graduation in 2016 that had been part of the cross country family at Galion for six years. Abby Barre, Sophie Carson, Lexi Hadamuscin, Lauren Huggins and Megan Zier all walked the stage and received diplomas last spring.

Sari Conner and Ashlie Sallee will lead Galion. Both have lettered twice. Other returning letter winners for the girls are: Theresa House and Murissa Windbigler, with one varsity letter apiece. Conner posted the best time for the Lady Tigers a season ago at 21:03.

In addition to the returning runners, Galion will see 10 new faces taking to courses this fall, seven boys and three girls.

Galion will kick-off their 2017 season at home against the Presidents of Marion Harding on Thursday, August 24. The regular season will conclude at Amman’s Park Cross Country Course on Saturday, October 14 when the Tigers host the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference meet.

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Galion Inquirer file photo Galion’s Braxton Tate leads an Edison runner during the Division II boys race at Saturday’s Division II district race at Amann Reservoir last year. Tate was the top finisher for the Tigers. His time was 17:27.07, good for 20th place.
http://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2017/08/web1_Braxton-Tate-1.jpgGalion Inquirer file photo Galion’s Braxton Tate leads an Edison runner during the Division II boys race at Saturday’s Division II district race at Amann Reservoir last year. Tate was the top finisher for the Tigers. His time was 17:27.07, good for 20th place.

By Chad Clinger

[email protected]

Follow Chad on Twitter @GalionSportsGuy

Reach Chad at 419-468-1117 x2048

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