Correspondence picture / Robert Hayes. Heartland Christian's Rebecca Geiss (left) leads throughout the second spherical of the Div. III 3200m from June in Dayton. Geiss would go on to complete fourth with a time of 10:51.
DAYTON – If one phrase might sum up Rebecca Geiss' expertise on the 2024 OHSAA state meet, it could be “superior.”
The Heartland Christian sophomore distance runner completed fourth within the Division III women 3,200 meters, a race that additionally featured Maplewood's a number of state champion Caleigh Richards.
“It's superb,” Geiss stated of her podium end. “It's a extremely nice alternative and to compete in opposition to these superb runners, that's actually superb too.”
Geiss, who gained Heartland Christian's first state cross nation title within the fall by edging out Richards, ran the two-mile race in 10 minutes, 51 seconds, greater than 20 seconds quicker than her state time final yr.
Regardless of this, Geiss completed fourth, down just a few spots from her second-place end a yr in the past. However that's not one thing Geiss worries about.
“I believe the locations have modified this yr simply because the ladies are getting quicker,” stated Geiss, who praised her “superior” competitors.
No matter inserting, Geiss' enchancment from her freshman season to her sophomore season was evident — after operating 11:12.13 within the 3,200 meters final yr, Geiss considerably improved her time, closing the hole between herself and the winner from final yr's 19.13 seconds to this time simply 3.48 seconds at Dayton.
Whereas Geiss will definitely be the favourite to win the state championships in each cross nation and monitor and discipline as a junior, she doesn't thoughts the higher expectations that include profitable a state title.
“I attempt not to consider it,” Geiss stated. “Proper now I'm simply specializing in what I'm doing.”
As for any targets, Geiss simply desires to proceed “racing in opposition to these superb rivals.”
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