Prep Cross Country: Tiffin Carnival canceled for 2020

TIFFIN — For the first time in more than half a century, the Carnival won't be coming to town. Tiffin Columbian High School Athletic Director Dan Hartsel said Wednesday that this year's Tiffin Cross Country Carnival — a staple at Hedges-Boyer Park since 1969 — will not take place. The event was scheduled for Sept. 12. It is one of the biggest cross country meets in the country; last year it hosted approximately 7,500 runners. It draws schools from all over the state, and often beyond. Hartsel said the cross country and athletic department staffs met with Seneca County Health Commissioner Beth Schweitzer to discuss the Carnival. "With the runners that we had last year, and you probably quadruple that (number) for spectators and staff," Hartsel said, "we just can't have that number into Seneca County right now." Hartsel said Columbian, which hosts the Carnival, is hoping to host a smaller cross country meet Sept. 12. "We're gonna invite the surrounding conferences — the (Northern 10 Conference, the Blanchard Valley Conference and the Northern Buckeye Conference) — to participate," he said. Of course, it's still uncertain if any fall sports will take place, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Nate Lynch, the director of the Carnival, said canceling the event was the right thing to do. "The guidelines would make it difficult for as large of an event as the Carnival," Lynch said. "We want to err on the side of safety, and student-athletes, coaches, spectators and officials' safety is No. 1, and all our volunteers that come out and work, safety is No. 1." Lynch said the Carnival hopefully will return in 2021. "It's a great community event for the whole area," he said. "But you've got to err on the side of caution and safety during this pandemic. I think that's the best solution we have: postpone it to next year, and have it on the corresponding date next year, and we'll hope for the best."