Hannah Todd has been a standout in track for perennial power Chippewa Hills and paves the way to a strong junior season to help the Warriors win the Central State Activities Association Gold Division title.
She was second at the late season Warriors Invitational in 20:06.7 at home on Oct. 22. Earlier in the week, she had a 20:10.3 in the CSAA jamboree where the Warriors finished second. But combined with first places in their other jamborees, Chippewa Hills took first overall.
Todd’s a season best was 19:48.0 at the Portage Invitational on Oct. 8.
This was Todd’s third varsity season.
“Conference championship would be a highlight,” she said. “Having a few individual team places at Portage is another highlight, Dezi (Shaw) and I. Another highlight was placing at Michigan State.”
Her sophomore season was a strong one. She had a 19:40 at Portage and that’s been her personal record so far.
She was 12th in the regionals and finished 71st at the Division 2 state finals in 19:45.
This season, Todd is hoping for a personal best, perhaps at regionals.
“I’m hoping to hit a 19:30,” she said. “It’s going to take a really nice strong first mile. My last mile has to be stronger than it has been lately in order to get my goal and my teammates need to push me like they’re behind me.”
Todd isn’t quite sure yet if this is her best season.
“This year my times started off faster than last year’s times,” she said. “So I feel confident with regionals coming up that I’ll hit a 19:30. I’m striving for it right now.”
Todd has been the Warriors’ No. 1 runner all season.
“The best part of my race has been knowing my teammates are behind me and pushing it as hard as they can, just as much as I can, knowing that we need teamwork and we don’t give up on our team. If we feel bad about the race, we always talk positive and always do it for our team.”
Todd hopes to qualify for the state finals again, both individually and as a team.
Todd also runs track and indicated she’s better at that event than cross country. “But cross country gets me in shape for the season,” she said. “I do indoor track before the winter. It helps me get stronger and carries me on through track. So I’m in shape, which is really nice.”