COLUMBUS — The champ has returned.
Two years since she last topped the podium as a sophomore, Olentangy Liberty’s Elena Aldrink took the girls’ Division I 3,200-meter state title back at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Now a senior and University of Washington commit, Aldrink secured her victory in 10:26.89 seconds — 6.53 seconds faster than runner-up, Dublin Jerome senior Natalie Fouts.
“This win feels so much better than I thought it’d feel,” Aldrink said.
“Going into this year, I was low on iron. I’ve dealt with iron for the past few years, which took me out last season. Coming back off a win, it just took a really big mental toll on me.
“So being able to come back this year, with the same problem, but then being able to handle it, and be atop this podium is a dream come true.”
The day’s first weather delay did not faze Aldrink. For about half the race, she ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Olentangy Orange product Brooke Chapman at the front of the pack.
Chapman, a North Carolina State signee, clinched third. Though she hoped for a higher finish, she celebrated the outcome despite the steamy conditions.
Chapman hugged Aldrink after the race and had nothing but good things to say about her fellow Olentangy school district runner after climbing down from the podium.
“Me and Elena, we’ve been going back and forth since middle school,” Chapman said.
“I’ve known her for a long time, and it’s always a good competition between us. I’m always happy if she’s winning.”
Aldrink now adds more hardware to an already illustrious high school career, as she also took home the Division I cross country state title last fall.
“Something I prepared this year was that no matter what, I was going to be thrown obstacles,” Aldrink said.
“Going into this race, instead of being like, ‘I need to do something, I need to get an outcome,’ I just told myself to have fun and whatever God’s plan is will work in the end.
And, it did.”
The photos below are credited to Jack Slemenda and Curt Conrad.
