Bellbrook XC’s Takumi Ford takes third at state
BELLBROOK, Ohio — Bellbrook’s own Takumi Ford finished his cross country season in a winning way. He finished 3rd at the state meet. To summarize his season, he took first place seven times, second place once, and third place twice. He also broke Bellbrook High School’s record three times, the Bellbrook cross country course record twice, and had the fastest Bellbrook Senior time for nine different courses.
At the state meet, the lead runners stayed in a pack through mile 1. At 1.25 miles, the top 2 runners pulled away from the pack. The pack didn’t maintain a “striking distance,” becoming 2 races. The top 2 and then the nest 8. Takumi was able to push the pace and made a few surges coming in third.
To prepare for the state meet, Coach Baumer challenged Takumi’s pace and tempo pace, and dropped his milage 10% per week for three weeks. The week of state, Takumi kept sharp with some fast pace shorter distances.
Takumi was introduced to the sport when his older brother joined a Cross Country team in Germany. He really wanted to learn how to become a faster runner in order to get better at tag and capture the flag.
Takumi comments on his coach, “Coach Baumer is an amazing coach. He bikes next to me on workouts, and he is always making sure that I am in my best possible condition. He has even gotten up for a 4:30 am practice to fit my schedule.”
Coach Mike Baumer ran cross country at Wright State 1977 through 1982 (who in turn was coached by 1964 Olympic gold medalist, Bob Schul). He also qualified for NCAA DII cross country nationals 3 times.
Coach Baumer says that a winning season is when “each individual becomes a better runner”. He hopes to continue to attract interested and motivated students to the Bellbrook High School Cross Country program, that wish to be a part of a “really neat group of young men and women.”
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
