MIKE BROWN: 113 runners participate in Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K
A total of 113 runners and walkers alike weren’t about to let a little rain deter them from participating in the 15th annual Ryan Johnson Memorial 5K Saturday at West Branch High School.
The overall champion was Josiah Hicks of Beloit who crossed the tape in 16:28.49. Finishing second was Josh Boggs of Columbiana with a clocking of 19:18.91 and third place went to Don Hicks of Beloit in a time of 20:19.75.
The top female finisher was Nicole Stull of Paris, Ohio, who was sixth in 22:49.03, while Megan Varga of Akron was the second female finisher, earning eighth overall in 23:56.03.
Who was Ryan Johnson?
Ryan Johnson was a track athlete at West Branch and died after running a leg of a 4x800 relay in a meet against Canton South in April of 2008. The race is held each year in his memory and raises scholarship funds for two West Branch senior students each year.
Roy Johnson, the father of Ryan Johnson, was once again the official starter for Saturday’s race.
“We have a lot of good people,” praised Johnson of the many volunteers and sponsors for the race. “Everybody gets a medal, so it’s a good day.”
“The race funds two $1,000 scholarships,” added Johnson who said nine students applied for the scholarships this season. “We have one person from the family and then we have other independent people who aren’t associated with the race or the school (who make up the committee to select the two scholarship recipients),” he added.
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