Submitted photo Poland cross country teams have four qualifiers for the state meet, from left, Jackie Grisdale, Halle Sebest, Logan Flament and Tony Gallo.

POLAND — Tony Gallo remembered last year’s Division II boys state cross country meet, the times he spent with his teammates racing at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.

The venue has changed this season to Fortress Obetz, southeast of Columbus.

No matter the change, the Poland senior distance runner saw the benefit of qualifying this year, even though his team did not qualify.

Gallo wants to set a personal-best time this season after qualifying for the meet during last weekend’s Boardman Regional.

“It almost felt everything was working for me,” he said. “Boardman feels like my home course. I’ve run it so many times. I’ve run good in the mud, in the cold. That day it felt everything was in my favor to run well. It felt special for me.”

Poland sophomore runner Logan Flament, who posted a 16:28.79 at this year’s district meet, was sad his team is not running with him and Gallo this year at state.

“I’m going to miss the atmosphere my teammates bring, but I know they will be watching and seeing how we’re doing,” Flament said. “I just want to do well for them.”

Running well at state, breaking that personal best time from this year’s district meet, is what Flament is looking forward to running at a flatter, faster course like Fortress Obetz.

“I’m stoked to be able to test my limits,” he said. “I’ll have the best competition I’ll have for a while until track season. This is the race to set a PR. This is the race to show myself what I’m capable of. I’m really excited.”

Poland boys coach and former Lowellville distance standout Monica Ciarniello said she was happy her runners had a season after their tireless training over the summer. The Bulldog runners never slacked on their training despite the restrictions put on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Gallo and Flament to go is a great representation of this Poland team.

“I’m really glad they were able to finish up their season and have a successful season,” Ciarniello said.

Poland girls coach Kim Grisdale said she’s putting things in perspective. She is sad her team — by a narrow margin — didn’t make it to state. The girls did the right things — running, diet, sleep, social distancing and other things — to keep a healthy season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Perspective-wise, it shouldn’t hit you that hard,” she said. “It shouldn’t be that big of a deal. I know there are things people are dealing with right now that are a lot worse than not making it to the state meet. It just hurts so bad because they’ve worked so hard.”

Seniors Halle Sebest and Jackie Grisdale said they’re proud of their team’s hard work this season, but are looking forward to finishing strong at Saturday’s state meet. Jackie Grisdale is an accomplished half-miler during track and field season. That gives her a good finish every race.

“The last half mile is my favorite part of the race,” she said. “I would run the last half-mile five times rather than the second mile. I don’t like the second mile.

“I think the training on the track teaches you mental toughness, You can put that speed together when you’re really tired.”

Sebest is thankful there is a state meet in 2020.

“Before school started I was thinking I would never have my senior cross country season due to the pandemic,” she said. “But somehow the state (meet) is happening and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to represent Poland and compete in the state this weekend.”