KARL PEARSON
Now that they have achieved their goal of reaching the state cross country meet, Riverside runners Zack McBride and Dan Shafer and coach Phil Baioni find themselves readjusting their goals.
That’s the fun part for the two Beavers as they enter the Division I race, the final race of the day Saturday at 2:50 p.m. at Scioto Downs Race Track in Columbus. For Shafer, a senior, it is the opportunity to put a bow on the final step in a four-year journey. For McBride, a sophomore in his first season on the cross country circuit, it is the opportunity to gain some valuable knowledge that he hopes will lead to even bigger things over the next two seasons.
Rather than get into a big analysis of numbers and results from other areas, the Riverside contingent has decided on a relatively simple plan of attack.
“We’re looking for more personal goals this week,” Baioni said. “We’re looking for Zack and Dan to have their best races of their season.
“We tried not to have them try to peak at the regional meet this year. In the past we’ve done that, but looking at their times from early in the season, we felt if they ran up to capabilities, they could qualify for state. We want them to perform well at state this week. We want them to peak there.”
Shafer doesn’t have any grand illusions about this week.
“I don’t have any real expectations,” the son of Cal and Joanne Shafer said. “I’m really happy I made it.
“It would be really nice to get somewhere in the top 25 and make All-Ohio. But my main goal is to enjoy myself. I’d like to run a (personal record) and get under 16 (minutes). I ran 16:13 at the (Premier Athletic Conference) meet a couple weeks ago.”
McBride believes he did hit his peak last Saturday in the regional race at Boardman High School, actually finishing ahead of Shafer for the first time all season. But he’s like to push the envelope even more.
“I feel pretty good about getting to state,” the son of Don and Kristy McBride said. “I peaked last week, but I’d like to carry that peak over into this week.
“My goal is to come out of this race as one of the top sophomores in the field and have a good race. A lot of this week will be about experience, too, and getting an idea of what I need to do for the next two weeks.”
McBride is out to gain some attention for his future this week.
“I want to show people I have something special,” he said. “I want to show I’m going to be one of the competitors to watch for the next two years. I hope to pick up some attention this week.”
Baioni is taking a conservative approach to his hopes for his runners.
“I would love to see them get on the podium (as an All-Ohioan), but I know that’s going to be tough,” he said. “I’d be extremely pleased to see them finish in the top quarter of the race.”
All three are hoping that Scioto Downs provides them with a dry track after two weeks of slogging through the mud at Lakeland Community College for the district meet and the regional meet at Boardman.
“If we could get a fast track and nice weather, it would be good,” Baioni said. “I’d like them to be able to run for PRs.
“I’m looking for Dan to just absolutely enjoy his race and see him smiling all the way around the course because he’s such a competitor, so I want to see him get his best time. Zack’s a competitor, too, so while I look at this as an experience builder for him, I expect to see him go out with the top runners and give it 110 percent to make this the best race he can.”
McBride would like to see his teammate finish with a flourish. He’s glad they have each other with whom to share the experience.
“I wouldn’t be upset at all if Dan beat me this week,” he said. “It will be nice to have someone there with me since it’s my first time. It’s been great to have someone like Dan to run with.”
Unlike McBride, who seems to have a bright future in running ahead of him, Shafer is looking at this as his last official race. He is hoping to attend Miami of Ohio, but he’s not looking to run there, so he plans to put his all into this race.
“I’m glad Zack is there with me to share the experience,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be good to have him there.
“After college, I’d like to get back into running, maybe do things like marathons. But this is it for running for a while, so I want to do my best.”
