Goal Accomplished: Michael Mangus 4th in state
HEBRON — If there ever was a way to wrap up a high school cross-country career, Fairfield senior Michael Mangus has a near perfect ending.
Mangus placed fourth in the Division III State Cross-County Championships, accomplishing his goal for the season of a Top 5 state finish.
As for the team Mangus has led the past four years, the Lions placed in 15th overall out of 16 teams as they were without their No. 2 runner, senior and three-time state qualifier Blake Hildebrant, who was unable to race due to injuries.
As for Mangus, he was in 31st place overall at the one mile marker, then by the time he reached the second mile marker, he was running in sixth place. By the end of the race, Mangus had accomplished his goal, as he also became a state-placer for the second straight season.
Last year, Mangus placed 14th with a time of 16:11.67, but the course was a lot drier than the wet and muddy conditions the National Trail Raceway has this year due to a recent rain storm.
Either way, Mangus was pleased with his performance in his final race as a Fairfield Lion.
The senior described his race.
"The race was similar to last year, but obviously I was able to place higher," Mangus said. "I started out slow and just worked my way up. I was 31st at the mile, and I ended up fourth.
"The race was a lot more spaced out than last year. Last year, I was in a big pack. This time, there were fewer people chasing me, but there were a lot fewer people to catch. I ran a smart race, and I was happy with it."
In the state race, Mangus was able to beat four of the five runners who had better times than him at the Division III Pickerington Regionals last week, including regional champion Luke Evans (Grandview Heights), who was eighth at the state meet.
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This postseason, Mangus was sixth at regionals and won the district championship.
"Michael trained all season for this one race," FHS assistant coach Bill Mangus said. "He sacrificed a sixth place at regionals for a fourth place at state. One of his goals was to get the top five at state, and he knew coming in he would have to beat four of the five kids who beat him last week … and he did."
Winning the Division III State championship was senior Bobby Johnson of McDonald with a time of 15:45.48. In second was Tristan Dahmen (Maplewood) at 16:07.49, and in third was Jon Anderson (Fort Frye) at 16:10.38. Rounding out the top five was Jared Stockmaster (Seneca East) at 16:15.99.
"I'm really happy I could get a top five," Mangus said. "There were some really tough runners this year, and I'm just happy I can be in that category."
The senior also took a quick look back at his high school career, which included three Southern Hills Athletic Conference and three SE District championships, along with numerous meet wins the past four years. In his sophomore year at the state meet, Mangus was 63rd with a time of 17:09.11.
"I raced a little bit better here every year, especially from my sophomore to junior year," Mangus said. "This year, I ran a lot better than my junior year. I just needed to get experience on this course, and it pays off."
Coach Mangus also looked back at Mangus' career. When Mangus was a freshman, the Lions didn't field a full team, having just two or three runners. Four years later, the team raced at state.
"Placing in the top four at state is a great way to close out a career," he said. "His finishes at state helped put Fairfield cross-country on the state level radar. His performances helped bring better athletes and runners to the program.
"With Michael getting in the top five and the team finishing in 15th overall without our full lineup, it was an ideal situation."
With his high school cross-country career being complete, Mangus also spoke about his teammates who were experiencing the state meet for the very first time.
"I didn't get to run here as a freshman, so I can't imagine what it was like for them this early in their high school career. We had three freshmen and two juniors run here (Saturday), and I'm really happy for them to have this experience and carry it into their season next year."