Hawken sophomore Ella Gilson on Saturday defended her Division II Trumbull County District championship.
Gilson won her second straight district title with a time of 18:05 to lead the Hawks to their second straight team championship.
“It was super exciting to win the district title,” Gilson said. “It was an individual goal for me and I’m so proud of my teammates for working so hard this season.”
As a freshman, Gilson won the district with a time of 18:47. She went on to place third at the regional meet (19:00) and 15th at state (18:57).
She knocked off 42 seconds from last year.
“I originally planned to take the first mile out conservatively but ended up going out rather fast,” she said. “I think I was just nervous and excited so that pushed me faster at the beginning of the race. I tried to keep my second and third mile more consistent. I was happy with my overall time but I really am hoping to get a PR by the end of the season.”
Gilson is looking forward to her second regional meet and if all goes well she’ll earn another trip to state.
“I am approaching regionals with an open mind,” she said. “I am confident that we will succeed as a team and I’m hoping to run a solid race again. I am also excited to compete at the regional level again because there is going to be great competition at the race.”
