Whiteoak’s Landen Eyre places 4th in Division III State Cross-Country Championships

OBETZ — The Division III State Cross-Country State Championships was the fastest on record for the Fortress Obetz course on Saturday, Nov. 2, with Whiteoak senior Landen Eyre placing fourth overall in the speed-filled event that saw the former course record broken four times.

In the Division III race, Eyre placed fourth with a time of 15:12.54, as his time at 1600m was 4:45.44 (3:33.55), followed by his time at 3200m at 9:39.85 (4:54.41), and then the finish time of 15:12.54 (5:32.69).

The senior Eyre talked about the race.

“It was very tactical, very competitive and very fast,” Eyre said of the Division III state race. “The plan was to go with two miles or a mile to go, and then it just didn't work out.

“Coming back and racing [at state], it’s a good feeling, but definitely not what I wanted. I was runner-up last year and got fourth this year. I ran faster this year, but it was not enough to win this year.”

This is the second consecutive season Eyre has placed in the Top 4 at the state cross-country championships, as he was state runner-up as a junior with a time of 15:26.1 at the same course.

Whiteoak head coach Doug Hughes talked about the race and what Eyre has brought to the cross-country program the past four years.

“The race went as expected as far as times and how quick it was,” Hughes said. “It was perfect conditions and the best competition. Division III is super strong this year, better than Division II has been all year, and Landen ran the same time as last week. It's just hard because the first mile is quick. The second mile is quick.

“(Landen) didn't feel quite as good as he did last week. He said he didn't feel quite as strong, but that just happens in running. Fourth place is something to be super proud of, and I know he's going to be disappointed, but there's not a person here that's disappointed in him.

“He did outstanding, and he wears that uniform and represents Whiteoak, and he has done so for four years, and he's going to go into college and keep doing the same thing,” Hughes continued. “Landen had a tremendous season and a tremendous career. He is over 2,000 wins this season with five losses. Landen has not lost to a Southeast District runner in two years. Probably over 2,000 kids compete in Division III throughout the state, and we have one the top runners in the state of Ohio, and we have for the last three years. It's been a pleasure to watch him, and it's going to be fun to watch what he does in track.”

Eyre — who has committed to run Division I cross-country next fall at Youngstown State University — has built quite the résumé when it comes to his high school running career, as he was not only a state runner-up last year in cross-country at state, but in track this past June as a junior he was the state champion in the 3200-meter run in Division III. He’s also a three-time district champion, a four-time Southern Hills Athletic Conference champion in cross-country and a four-time cross-country state qualifier.

“It's exciting,” Eyre said of committing to Youngstown State. “It's been my dream since I was in seventh grade to continue running at the college level, and I'm going to college for not free, but pretty dang close.

“I also want to say thanks to those who’ve supported me. We had some people show up, and I really appreciate the people who showed up and the people who supported me through the years, for sure.”

Repeating as state champion was Rittman junior Luke Snyder with a time of 14:58.13. In second place was Will Baker of Mount Gilead at 15:06.23, and in third place was Andrew Rhode of Steubenville Catholic Central with a time of 15:06.94.

“I want to say congratulations to the people who beat me,” Eyre said. “Congratulations to them. They ran a great race.”

Hughes closed out his conversation by praising the Whiteoak senior one last time for his work ethic.

“He brings his A game to practice every single day, every single day,” Hughes said. “I know three kids beat him today, but you cannot say anything to make me believe that anyone has outworked Landen Eyre this season. I just refuse to believe it.

“Tip your hat to the three kids to beat him, but I still don't believe anyone outworked that kid.”

(Check back to highlandcountypress.com for more photos.)

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.