Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — “Hamming It Up” is taking on a whole new meaning for a Coal Grove Middle School runner.
A sixth-grade student, Laura Hamm wasn’t joking around as she won the Ohio Cross Country Middle School State Championship on Saturday at Jerome Dublin High School.
Hamm posted a 12:37 time over the two-mile course to finish first among 136 runners in the sixth grade and under girls’ age division.
Entrants were from Ohio schools and travel running clubs. Seventh and eighth grade students were split into three divisions.
Besides her regular workout program, Hamm prepared for the race by competing as a member of the Coal Grove Run Club. Her race schedule included meets as Ashland, Boyd County, Carter County, Mason County and Rowan County in Kentucky and the Green Frenzy at the Furnace race in Ohio.
Hamm said her success is due to “being blessed with the ability to run, having a dedication to hard work, continual support from my school, my teammates as well as encouragement from fellow competitors and coaches.”
An awards ceremony was held after the race and Hamm was presented her state champion medal, a $20 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods and a 5-pound gummy bear.