By John Raffel
Sophomore Hannah Todd is providing the type of talent and leadership that Chippewa Hills coach Zach Hatfield can enjoy this season.
“During cross season last year, she came in, and it was a growing experience for her,” Hatfield said. “She had seniors she could learn from. She learned how hard you had to work during cross season and put time in. She’s taken that leadership she learned last year into this year and helping the younger kids transition into varsity cross. That was beneficial for her last year, learning it first hand. She’s applying it well this year.”
Todd is showing plenty of promise this season.
“She’s a sprinter at heart,” Hatfield said. “When she’s on the track, she’s a 100, 200, and 400 kid. She likes to go fast. She’s still working on running the 5K well through the entirety of it. She likes to go fast. We had our first [Central State Activities Association Gold division] jamboree a couple of days ago and she was second. She’s hoping to take that No. 1 spot. That’s her goal.”
“Last year went well. I was first-team all-conference,” Todd said. “I had a great season and missed [qualifying for state] by two places at regionals. I was one of the lead runners for the team.”
Todd’s personal best time is in the low 20s.
“She hasn’t broken in the 19s yet,” Hatfield said. “But I feel she can do that. She’s well ahead of where she was last year with her training. She has a lot more base miles in this year than last year. I think she’ll respond well, and those times will come down as we get later in the season.”
Todd has had a 21:35 on her home course. “That’s a pretty good time on our course,” Hatfield said. “Last year, 20:03 was a PR. The strength of her race is her determination to run front. She doesn’t like to run with somebody. She’s a front runner.”
Todd’s strength is her competitiveness, Hatfield indicated. “She has to control it; that’s what she’s working on now,” he said.
Todd has run cross country since her elementary grades. “I feel I’m improving a lot,” she said. “My fastest time has been a 21:35. I want to get below 21s and get in the high 19s this year. The key for that is hard work and training; every practice is just a step closer to getting to my goal.”
The Warriors have had success in cross country in the past, and Todd expects more of the same this season.
“Team-wise we’re looking strong,” she said. “Our times are close to each other. Our season is going well so far. Hopefully, by the end of the season, we’ll be first team all-conference.”