Tracy to close Edgewood athletic career in Columbus
· Yahoo Sports
Garret Tracy ended the fall season with a trip to the state cross country tournament in Obetz, which is near Columbus
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The Edgewood senior will close his high school athletic career at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the Division III 1600-meter final, also in Columbus.
Tracy is seeded 16th in the race after running a 4:22.71 time at the Austintown Regional.
He didn’t receive an automatic spot, but earned an at-large bid as one of the three fastest times from all the regionals.
“I was excited,” Tracy said of finding out later he had advanced to state. “I ran to find coach [Steve] Hill.”
Tracy cut eight seconds off his best time of the season.
“I felt pretty good,” he said. “I had a personal record, but feel I can go a little harder this weekend.”
East Liverpool senior Maddox Roach has the fastest 1600 time entering state at 4:15.42.
But the field is pretty competitive.
Madeira senior Ben Wetzel checks in 18th with a time of 4:23.02.
“I just need to hold it together on the third lap,” Tracy said. “By that point, fatigue sets in. Lap 4 is just adrenaline.”
Warriors coach Anthony Cardaman said Tracy ran a smart and consistent regional race.
“He had 65, 67, 65, 65 splits and was able to counter every move that was made during the race,” Cardaman said. “We’re proud of him and are excited for the weekend.”
Tracy believes running at state cross country at Fortress Obetz & Memorial Park in early November can only help.
“I’ve been on the big stage,” he said. “I just need to run my race.”
In the fall, Tracy led the Warriors cross country boys team at state, running a 16:42.19.
At the end of the weekend, he will have completed four years of track and three of cross country.
Tracy said running has always been a part of his life.
“When I was little, my parents [Josh and Sarah] competed in marathons and half-marathons,” he said.
Tracy said he also played soccer for the Warriors.
Once his Edgewood career is finished, he will continue with the sport at the college level.
He is scheduled to attend Roberts Wesleyan for school and to run cross country/track.
“I like the academics, coach and team,” Tracy, who is planning on majoring in secondary education, said.
Located in Rochester, New York, Roberts Wesleyan competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the East Coast Conference (ECC).
The Redhawks also hold dual membership in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
In the 2025 cross country season, Roberts Wesleyan finished in 33rd at the NCAA D-II Championships.
The track and field team just completed its season, and captured second in the ECC.
“Traditionally, they have good cross country and track programs,” Tracy said. “I like how straightforward the coach is about training.”
Tracy said he’ll miss competing with his teammates, but is looking forward to enjoying college.
He would like to reach the podium with a top-eight performance this weekend, and is also close to the school record.
“I’m five seconds away,” Tracy said. “It will be good to race against good competition.”