Fairfield cross-country runners earn scholarships, look forward to running in college
Lead Summary
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Courtesy of Nellda Friend
Leesburg
They soar through the countryside. They nearly fly up and down the hills around Leesburg in the summer and at indoor tracks in the winter. These three Fairfield cross-country scholarship winners all state that pushing themselves to run fast has developed discipline and earned them money for college.
• Bennett Hodson was 75th place in the Div. III state meet last fall. He set his own personal record in all track events and qualified for state. He chose Kentucky Christian University (Grayson, Ky.) as he was offered full tuition at a school with his major, and he had a good experience when he visited.
• Austin Setty was 49th at the state meet. For six years, Setty has been pounding the pavement and improving his time to win a scholarship. He chose the University of Rio Grande, where he will be training on some familiar high slopes that he conquered in league meets. He prefers the school as it is not too far from home.
• Brandtson Duffie finished 23rd at the state cross-country meet with his personal record of 16:52 for the 5K run. He moved up from 157th sophomore year and 119th junior year. He made strides in winter and spring track events, also. Achieving the rank of “Academic All Ohio” nine times, the senior chose LeHigh University (Bethlehem, Pa.) because it offers top academics in the nation.
“The location and size of the college is exactly what I was looking for," Duffie said. "Their Division I athletics and great programs also influenced my decision."
The boys pushed one another to accomplish a regimen of running seven to 10 miles each week with speed workouts on definite days.
The runners have been competing throughout their high school years. They have enjoyed overnight trips with meets in distant locations and felt the joy of success as their running times decreased.
“Cross-country turned me into a leader," Duffie said. "It taught me determination and brought me new friendships. My experience in running has shaped me into what I am today.”
Leesburg
They soar through the countryside. They nearly fly up and down the hills around Leesburg in the summer and at indoor tracks in the winter. These three Fairfield cross-country scholarship winners all state that pushing themselves to run fast has developed discipline and earned them money for college.
• Bennett Hodson was 75th place in the Div. III state meet last fall. He set his own personal record in all track events and qualified for state. He chose Kentucky Christian University (Grayson, Ky.) as he was offered full tuition at a school with his major, and he had a good experience when he visited.
• Austin Setty was 49th at the state meet. For six years, Setty has been pounding the pavement and improving his time to win a scholarship. He chose the University of Rio Grande, where he will be training on some familiar high slopes that he conquered in league meets. He prefers the school as it is not too far from home.
• Brandtson Duffie finished 23rd at the state cross-country meet with his personal record of 16:52 for the 5K run. He moved up from 157th sophomore year and 119th junior year. He made strides in winter and spring track events, also. Achieving the rank of “Academic All Ohio” nine times, the senior chose LeHigh University (Bethlehem, Pa.) because it offers top academics in the nation.
“The location and size of the college is exactly what I was looking for," Duffie said. "Their Division I athletics and great programs also influenced my decision."
The boys pushed one another to accomplish a regimen of running seven to 10 miles each week with speed workouts on definite days.
The runners have been competing throughout their high school years. They have enjoyed overnight trips with meets in distant locations and felt the joy of success as their running times decreased.
“Cross-country turned me into a leader," Duffie said. "It taught me determination and brought me new friendships. My experience in running has shaped me into what I am today.”