Lakeview’s Charnas shining in senior year | News, Sports, Jobs – Warren Tribune Chronicle

Staff photo / John Vargo Lakeview’s Nate Charnas, right, has become the first boys Bulldog runner to advance to state since 2012.

BOARDMAN — Nate Charnas began his offseason like many other cross country runners.

The Lakeview senior distance runner had that nagging feeling driving him through the last time he’d wear the blue-and-white Bulldog colors.

“I was tired of losing,” said Charnas, who finished 21st at Saturday’s Division II Boardman Regional meet. “I wanted to be good. It was my last chance. I wanted to train more.”

The top six teams and top 24 runners advance to this Saturday’s Division II boys state meet at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.

Charnas saw those offseason workouts flourish when he took second at the Northeast-8 meet in late September. This would be a special season for the Lakeview senior.

“From there, I realized I have some natural ability,” Charnas said.

His coach, Sean Voorhies, former state-level runner for Lakeview and Youngstown State University athlete, noticed that natural ability, Charnas’ natural engine and his competitive nature.

He is Lakeview’s first boys state-level competitor since Eric Harris in 2012.

“Put those together and he’s had a great final season in cross,” Voorhies said of Charnas.

His father, Craig, is Warren G. Harding’s diving coach and tennis mentor. The younger Charnas tried both sports.

Nate swam when he was in middle school, but he kept getting Swimmer’s Ear, leading to constant infections.

“I didn’t like it,” he said.

Nate did try tennis.

“That definitely was not my thing,” he said.

Cross country started in eighth grade. Charnas developed a passion for the sport.

The camaraderie on the Lakeview team grew exponentially this season. His friends and teammates motivated him to be better.

“They are like brothers,” Charnas said.

He wants to perform well at the state meet, lowering his times — hopefully some college will notice his athletic ability.

For this Lakeview senior, it’s about finishing races — an exhilaration which comes from no other sport.

“You can’t get that anywhere else,” Charnas said. “Just winning, that’s what I like. I hate the start. I hate the beginning of the race. That second half to the finish is what I love.”

He’s made the most of the second half of his senior season.

“Seniors turn into a whole ‘nother animal. They really do in every sport,” Voorhies said.