If ever a runner deserved to win a state championship, it was Lindsay Zinn, an 18-year-old from Lakota East.

(Front) Chelsea Homan, Jenny Homan, Andrea Maas, Courtney Engel, Lindsay Zinn. (Back) Terie Littlepage, Carolyn Rauen, Lisa Uible, coach Ron Russo, Shelly Dickinson. | ZOOM |

        The past three seasons at the state track and cross country meets, Zinn was either sick or plagued by an untimely injury. This season it was different and the look of determination on Zinn's face before and during the Division I state cross country race was a sign she wouldn't be denied.

        One of four lead runners through most of the 3.1 miles, Zinn pulled away in the final mile to win the Division I state country individual title.

        As a result, Zinn is the Enquirer's Division I runner of the year.

        “When Lindsay went out slow the first 300, I knew she wasn't going to do something stupid,” Lakota East coach Jason Lindsey said of Zinn's state meet strategy.

        The Division II-III runner of the year is Lisa Uible, an Indian Hill sophomore, who finished eighth at the Division I state meet in a personal best time of 18:52.

        Colerain's girls cross country team re-wrote the record books this season by winning a fourth consecutive Division I state title.

        There was some doubt coach Ron Russo's Cardinals could pull it off after finishing third at the Fairmont Invitational midway through the season.

        But, the Cardinals first five runners finished in the top 44, giving Colerain 73 points and the win.

        There's no doubt that Russo's dedication and enthusiasm influenced the girls to be the best and leave it all on the course.

        For the fourth consecutive season, Russo is the Enquirer's Coach of the Year.

        • Runner of the Year, Division I

        Lindsay Zinn, Lakota East, state champion

        • Runner of the Year, Division II-III

        Lisa Uible, Indian Hill, eighth in state meet

        • Coach of the Year

        Ron Russo, Colerain, state champions

        • First Team

        Terie Littlepage, Colerain, Senior, Fifth at state

        Chelsea Homan, Anderson, Senior, Sixth at state

        Jenny Homan, Anderson, Freshman, Eighth at state

        Andrea Maas, Colerain, Sophomore, 12th at state

        Carolyn Rauen, Turpin, Freshman, 17th at state

        Shelly Dickinson, Colerain, Junior, 19th at state

        Courtney Engel, Reading, Sophomore, 10th at state

        Honorable Mention: Jaime Wyckoff, Lakota East; Alison Bedingfield, Colerain; Heather Ross, Anderson; Laura Kreuter, Colerain; Melanie Price, Turpin; Trish Stege, Springboro; Carrie Crofford, Taylor; Leah Peelman, Purcell Marian;Alessa Valez, Kings; Julie Hockzema, Badin; Randi Garrison, Hillsboro; Anna Godby, Kings; Kellie McClung, Kings; Lindsay Keller, Kings.

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