ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — The first Wednesday of February, better known as national signing day for college athletic letters of intent, is always a big thing in Ohio.

In recent years, it has again become an important matter in the area with the signings of Madison’s Nic DiLillo and Harvey’s Chris Fields to football scholarships at Ohio State University.

Signing Day 2010 with Ohio State was a big day at Edgewood High School, but this time, it was for a different group of Buckeyes. This time, the athlete was Edgewood girls cross country and track star Mallory Kreider, no less significant a signing.

Kreider’s commitment to a partial athletic scholarship at Ohio State in the Edgewood High School library marked the culmination of a pursuit that has been gaining momentum since the end of her sophomore year with the Warriors. It really took hold during her junior year with her victories in the 3200-meter run at the Ohio Track and Field Coaches Association Indoor State Championships and the Division II 3200-meter run at the outdoor state meet last June.

“In my sophomore year, I felt I would be comfortable running at a Division II or Division III school,” the daughter of Alan and Kim Kreider of Kingsville Township said. “I think I matured a lot in my sophomore year.

“Then I started to run well in my junior cross country season and I began to think Division I was the way to go. During the winter and spring of my junior year, I really began to think I could make it (in Division I). Ohio State really began to show interest after the indoor season.”

Toward that end, Kreider investigated a number of Division I programs of various sizes to find the right one. She found it perhaps closer to home than even she might have imagined.

“In my junior year, I was looking at West Virginia, but it turned out it just wasn’t the right fit,” she said. “I also talked to Kentucky, Penn State, Brown, Akron, Michigan State and Purdue, along with Ohio State.

“Eventually, the decision came down to between Purdue and Ohio State. I visited Purdue, but it just wasn’t the right fit.”

As much a part of her decision to choose a school that would enhance her running career, Kreider, a 3.849 student who ranks eighth in Edgewood’s senior class of 162, was looking for a college that would help her along her path to a career she hopes will lead to becoming a physical therapist.

“In order to be a physical therapist, you have to have a doctorate, and your bachelor’s degree has to be in some related field,” she said. “I can get a degree in exercise science there and I have the possibility of doing all my studies to become a physical therapist right there at Ohio State.”

Having the opportunity to remain close to her parents and brother Ian, a sixth grader at Kingsville Elementary, along with Edgewood coaches Steve Hill and Chris Simmons and her Warrior teammates, was also a big factor.

“It’s a big difference between being three hours away (at OSU) and seven hours (at Purdue),” she said.

That makes her parents happy, too.

“We’re glad she’s only going to be three hours away,” Alan Kreider said. “We’re very happy with Mallory’s decision.

Kreider is also quite happy.

“It’s a high honor to have the opportunity to go to a school in the Big Ten like Ohio State or Purdue,” she said.

“I definitely think it’s in Mallory’s best interests to go there,” Hill said. “She enjoyed her time down at Ohio State and sees the possibilities for great things there. They have a lot of optimism for their program and I think she’ll fit in well there.”

Kreider is also excited about the opportunity to become part of a program that appears to be on the rise. The Buckeye cross country team stumbled a little at the Big Ten championships, but had a breakout meet at the NCAA regionals to finish second and qualify for the national meet. It is hoped that it carries over into track season.

Karen Dennis is the head coach for the women’s cross country and track programs, but assistant coach Chris Neal, who handles most of the cross country duties and is the distance running coach in track, was the driving force behind Kreider’s recruitment. Signing Day was a big day for the Buckeyes, who also brought in Division I state champion Meredith Wagner from Sylvania Northview.

“We’re really happy to have Mallory,” Neal said Wednesday afternoon from his office in Columbus. “She’s an Ohio girl, and we always want to make sure we’re keeping as many Ohio runners as possible.

“Mallory put on quite a show at the state meet last year. We think she’s going to be a great track and cross country competitor for us. She’s going to add a lot of depth to our team, and she’s a good student, too.”

One of the attractions of OSU for Kreider is the fact she will be able to blend in with a group of highly competitive runners instead of being expected to be the focal point of the team. She is also looking forward to seeing just how far running can take her.

“I’m going to have to work very hard just to make the varsity team,” Kreider said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I have to develop into a better runner. I’m happy to be part of a team that’s growing and where there are other successful runners.

“I’m really grateful to Mr. Hill and Mr. Simmons for what they’ve done for me as a runner. Mr. Hill has worked with me since I was back at Braden Junior High and he’s worked together with me on running plans all along. Mr. Simmons has always been very straightforward with me. And I’m also thankful to my team and to have another girl like Juliana (Simmons) who’s given me a lot support.

“God has blessed me with a lot of great support systems,” Kreider said. “My parents and my brother have been so great in helping me with my running and even helping with things like my eating and sleeping needs. I want to thank everyone from out in the community for all the support they’ve given me over the years, too.”

Hill will be interested to see Kreider’s development, even if it’s from afar.

“I think it’s going to be great for Mallory to be part of a a team where she doesn’t have to be in the spotlight,” he said. “I think she’s going to a program that really pushes her.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing what Mallory can do in cross country at our 6K distance,” Neal said. “We’re probably looking at having her run the 5,000 (meters) for now in track and maybe moving up to the 10,000.

“We’re looking at having her come in and learn next year from our older girls, especially Sarah Foster, who’s going to be a senior.”

Now Kreider can concentrate on making the most out of her senior track season. Hoping to make the best defense of her state championship possible is one element.

“I want to try and do the best I can,” she said. “I’m glad I have (signing) out of the way so I can concentrate on making the most of my track season.”

She also hopes to show she has overcome the “medical issues” that sapped her energy in the regional and state meets this year.

“That’s all been worked out,” Kreider said.

Her own medical concerns, along with a job shadowing she did last year, also has been a factor in setting her college path.

“I’m very passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle and I want to get into a career where I can follow my passion,” Kreider said. “I want to help older people and help people who are trying to be active again.

“When I see people that are injured, I want to help them. I would love to try and help them. I want to do something I can enjoy for a lifetime.”

She believes Ohio State will give her the tools to follow both her passions.

“I know Ohio State is big, but I’ll be in kind of a little city where I can do all my course work,” Kreider said. “They have a requirement that you have to go to a study table for eight hours a week. You can sign up for free tutors and there are so many other resources there for me. And I’ll be rooming with another girl from the team.

“My main goal as a runner is to go down there and have marked improvement. I chose Ohio State because it’s a situation that’s set up to help me get to that improvement.

“The doors are wide open.”