High school girls cross country: Dennison, Gresh nab top spots at Madison District

The following article was posted on the News-Herald’s website. Congratulations Savannah!

It was one final run for Mentor’s Savannah Dennison at a course she had never lost at when she took the line at the Madison District meet. She made sure to close her career as a four-time district champion as she crossed the line with an 18:14.35 to take the individual crown.

While it wasn’t the fastest time she’s posted this season or at the course, that was by design for the senior. Dennison knew that she had to focus on the big picture rather than just this week’s course.

Even while she took her foot off the gas, Dennison still managed to finish with a 45-second advantage over St. Joseph Academy’s Ali Blouch.

“My strategy before the race was to go out and post a fast time, especially since I had gone under 18 here before,” Dennison said. “But as I felt the conditions, it was a lot soggier. I’m not here running for districts, I’m running for states. I got more conservative. I did feel the most comfortable with the course and it was a good result that I needed to finish undefeated on the course.”

The Cardinals also saw Ada Sabo and Maddi Clark finish sixth and seventh respectively, as well as Nora Kraska in 18th. That propelled the Cardinals to second in the team race with 57 points to advance to the Boardman Regional as a team.