“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”- Abraham Lincoln Following an early set of morning storms, the weather turned very humid and hot at Hilliard Davidson. It was steamy and the air was heavy. In addition, the course was wet and muddy. Not conditions to run fast, but a competition nonetheless, and the TVXC Girls found themselves in one of the most competitive early season races in Ohio. The Hilliard Hot Summer Bash featured a plethora of ranked teams in the state cross country rankings and several more that will find themselves in the polls when then new poll comes out the following week. Despite all that didn't seem right, the leadership and determination of the Vikings have shown they will not back down from a challenge. The understanding is that iron sharpens iron and the team wants to be calloused and ready come October and November. The Vikings finished 10th out of 16 teams, defeating several division one ranked teams. The Vikings were led by Reese Galinger who collected another top 10 finish, placing 8th (19:27). Addie Keplar, perhaps having the race of the day, ran a a spectacular second race of the season and finished 22nd (20:05) giving the Vikings a great 1-2 finish. Grace Thanasack continues to prove herself as one of the toughest competitors in Central Ohio working through several additional hurdles to complete the 1-2-3 trio with her senior teammates finishing 52nd (21:09). Kyleigh Cradlebaugh, found more comfort over the last 2 miles of her race, than she has had all season and it showed as she moved up in the pack finishing 83rd (22:04) and Khloe Maxwell got out quick for the Vikings and had a strong finish down the stretch finishing 92nd (22:21). Lauren Charter completed the varsity race, finding her groove a little later showing her potential that will shine later in the season for the Vikings finishing 116th (23:34). In the open race, the conditions were no better, but the Vikings were again led by two experienced and battle-tested seniors as Iris Ardrey finished 32nd (24:53) and Lila Merrit finished 67th (26:42). Both girls were integral in leading the group of girls in preparation before the race, showing strong leadership skills. A young duo of sophomore Hannah Daniels (105th-28:47) and freshman Scarlett Mets (110th-29:15) came across the line next for the Vikings.Rialynn Carver completed the scoring for the Vikings running 30:00 (122nd). Others competing for Vikings included Bailie Peters (128th-30:26), Aubrey McKibben (131st-30:50), Evie Hix (136th-32:47), Ellie Smith (140th-33:20), Mikaela Frabott (143rd-34:33), and Shaeden Wymer (153rd-41:09). On a day, where hitting a specific time or goal was going to out of the question, the Vikings focused on something else. Showing improvement against specific competition, creating a sense of toughness and determination, and getting just a little bit sharper, so that they are fully prepared for the opportunity to swing the axe. Results: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/282970/info