TIFFIN, OH—With over 35 teams and hundreds of runners packed onto the legendary Hedges-Boyer Park course, the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival is always a defining mid-season test. Facing off in the Division 1 race against some of the strongest programs in the state, the WRA boys rose to the occasion. The team fought their way to an 8th-place finish out of 36 teams, posting a blistering 17:33 team average and proving they belong on Ohio's biggest stages.
Senior captain James Johnston '27 led the charge once again, capturing 11th place overall in a staggering 16:10.2—the fastest 5K time recorded for WRA in 25 years. Johnston continues to elevate his game to a whole new tier, setting the tone for a historic day where every single runner in WRA's top six walked away with a personal record.
Fellow senior captain Ian Fleming '27 delivered a monumental breakthrough of his own, breaking into the 16-minute stratosphere for the first time in his career with a 16:59.7 to grab 31st overall. Brendan Bennett '28 kept the momentum rolling up front, locking in his first PR of the season in 17:22.8 for 50th place. Bennett gave WRA three powerful front-runners in the top 50, laying a rock-solid foundation for the team's score.
The back end of the scoring pack showed just as much heart. Dominic Ilodi '30 continued his rapid freshman progression, lowering his best mark down to 18:18.9, while Tripp Bellamy '30 shaved off crucial seconds to cross the line in 18:50.9. Tyson Edmunds '30 clocked a standout PR of 19:19.2, earning high praise for fighting through the inevitable hills and valleys of a cross country season—a perfect example of how growth isn't always linear, but persistent effort pays off.
The day also marked the season debut of senior Leo Wang '27, who came out aggressive with a strong opening mile. As Wang continues to build his stamina to match his early speed, his front-running mentality bodes well for the varsity squad's depth moving forward.
Conditions were ideal for fast times—cool, overcast, and dry. The skies opened up right after the race ended, sending the boys back to the bus soaking wet and freezing cold. But nobody cared. The team will remember what they accomplished on this course: a day defined by grit, historic performances, and a statement finish against the best teams in Ohio.
Full results here: https://oh.milesplit.com/meets/715768-tiffin-cross-country-carnival-2026/results?type=formatted&event=5000m&gender=Boys&division=Division+1%2F2
Note: Generative AI helped to draft this story. It was revised, reviewed and edited by the Boys' XC coaching staff.
