COLUMBUS — Smithville junior Maryn Erdman found herself in a familiar spot early Friday evening, June 5, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, and that was on top of the podium again.
Erdman has been here before.
She was the Division III state champion in the 800 meters two years ago as a freshman in Dayton. Two years later, and this time in Columbus, Erdman made her way back to the top as she won the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division V 800 meters state title in a time of 2:12.31.
Lake Center Christian’s Gianna Ritchie, who finished as the state runner-up, stayed with Erdman throughout the two-lap race, but Erdman’s quick sprint in the final lap sealed the deal for her.
“Coming into today, I didn’t feel the best with the wind and heat. I was just coming to win,” Erdman said. “I came in a little bit slow in terms of what I was aiming for time-wise. The second lap I could feel Gianna behind me. She has a great kick and she’s a great competitor. I knew she had it, so going into that first curve I had to push it on the back stretch. The last 100 really comes down to who can sprint the fastest.”
Erdman, this year’s Wayne County Athletic League, district and regional champion in the 800, said she didn’t really have a strategy heading into the race.
“I like to take it to the top and lead but just going into it you know it’s going to hurt a little,” said Erdman, describing the physical tole the 800 can have on a runner. “You don’t have any time to settle into your pace. You’re really pushing the whole time. What I like to say it’s like running two open 400s back-to-back.”
Last year as a sophomore, Erdman finished third in the 800 meters as she dealt with some injuries, yet she also alluded to her focus changing not as a runner, but as a person — that’s helped her secure another gold medal in her strongest event.
“I was more healthy this year. What I have is long term. It’s improving,” Erdman said of her injury. “Coming into this year, it was better. Last year, I really focused on the team. My focus was taken off the 800 a little last year. This year, I really focused on individual. I was content with third last year. This year, my life values have been in other things. Freshman and sophomore year, my whole identity was really running.
“This year, I’ve been doing other things in my life and that’s helped take the pressure off. I’m having more fun with the sport, which is something I can’t say last year or two years ago.”
However, don’t let that fool you. Erdman’s hunger it still there, even as a two-time 800 meters state champion. She’s already got her eye on a third state title in the 800 in her senior year.
“It’s been a long road between these two years,” Erdman said with her gold medal wrapped around her neck. “Getting back has always been the goal. I think it was good to have a year off and mentally, but now, I’m coming into next year ready to go. Ready to pick up another.”
jamessimpson@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Smithville’s Maryn Erdman wins 800 state title, second in three years
Reporting by James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
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By James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record | USA TODAY Network
