Campbell’s second win adds weight to 15:25
Two wins to open the season have put Meadowbrook's sophomore among the area's leading postseason prospects.
Results through September 5, 2026. Published September 7.
Vinny Campbell's school-record opener was followed by a win over a returning All-Ohio runner, giving Meadowbrook more to celebrate than a fast time alone.
Meadowbrook sophomore Vinny Campbell followed his school-record 15:25 at Claymont on August 29 with a 15:42 win at Newcomerstown on September 5. Bellaire’s Landen Perdue finished in 15:46. Union Local senior Connor Bendo ran 16:14.
Campbell finished four seconds ahead of Perdue and thirty-two ahead of Bendo.
A win over a returning All-Ohio runner
Bendo finished seventh at the 2025 Division III state meet, running 15:34.25. That is established championship experience in the field Campbell just raced.
Bendo's state-meet experience adds weight to Campbell's early win. A sophomore with a school record and two victories already has a strong start to build on as the championship meets approach.
The clock and the competition tell different parts of the story
Campbell's 15:25 for 5K at Claymont works out to about 4:58 per mile, a pace that puts the scale of his school record in perspective.
At Newcomerstown, Campbell added a second win against strong competition. His 15:42 came on a different course, while the outcome kept his winning start intact.
A young group is giving him company
Shenandoah sophomore Joel Tewksbary ran 16:22 at Newcomerstown. Cambridge junior Brayden Biddle ran 16:49; Caldwell sophomore Zane Boyd ran 17:08; Meadowbrook junior Luke Norman ran 17:13. Those are separate athletes with separate postseason paths, but together they make this more than a one-runner story.
Seven of the area boys' top ten are freshmen, sophomores or juniors. Nine have season bests under eighteen minutes, giving several programs young runners near the front.
What to watch next
Campbell will look to carry his winning start into deeper fields. Bendo brings proven state-meet experience to the same local racing scene, making their next meeting one to follow.
Campbell's record and consecutive wins have made him a leading area story early in his sophomore season. The coming races will show how that start carries into October.