Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes -- Jackie Grisdale of Poland was the girls individual winner at this year’s Mahoning County cross country meet held at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Focus. That’s what these Poland High School cross country teams have had all season.

Sophomore Logan Flament finished second 16:28.79 at last weekend’s Division II district cross country meet at GlenOak High School.

He said it gave him confidence.

It started to grow throughout the season, but there were some setbacks.

He had a minor injury in the spring. Flament slowly built up his mileage, running faster with each run.

Mostly, he wanted to stay injury free.

He’s also changed his approach to races.

“Last year as a freshman, I was unsure of my position in the area and unsure of how to race the 5K distance,” Flament said. “I mostly stuck in the back of the pack and gradually moved up to the front throughout the race. This year, I realized that I need to go out strong and stay with the front pack as I got used to racing 5K and now that I know my competition.”

Poland cross country coach Kim Grisdale said she’s proud of the changes Flament has shown. He’ll need it in a talented field during Saturday’s Division II regional at Boardman High School.

“He’s emotionally mature,” Grisdale said. “He’s physically mature. He’s got a lot better this past summer in many aspects.”

Flament needs to finish in the top 24 to advance to state at Fortress Obetz, located in Obetz, Ohio. It would be the Poland sophomore’s second trip to the highest pinnacle of this high school event.

“During Saturday’s race, I need to start aggressively and get out in the front pack — top 10,” Flament said. “If I stay with this pack, it should guarantee me a spot in the top 24 to qualify for state. I know that I can hang with the guys. I need to get out fast with them before I lose contact and I get in no- man’s land.”

Grisdale is hoping for a good showing this year at regionals. Poland has been snake bit before at this level.

The Bulldogs need a top-six finish to advance to state.

Missing state by two, three points. It’s happened before.

“They’re going to do everything in their power to not do that again,” she said.

Senior Jackie Grisdale, Kim’s daughter, said her team is prepared to run their best.

They’ve put the work in the offseason to get to this point.

She said this Poland team runs every race like it is this team’s last, especially now that it is the postseason.

“It takes a smart race,” Grisdale said. “There are a lot of very talented runners and teams in our region, and a lot of them like to go out pretty fast. It can be easy to get pulled by these runners, which can be killer later in the race. We’ve run a good amount of races this season, each of which has taught us our strengths. So, it’s all about running ‘your’ race.”

No individualistic motives. These Bulldogs pack up as one.

“We motivate and push each other at every practice, which translates into races,” Jackie Grisdale said. “Our coaches emphasize the ideas of running as a pack and closing the gaps, which I think everyone has really bought into.”