Northwest Review 2

Paige Rice

       For the most part Alaska is where it is at, as far as action in the Northwest but there were a few events of note over the long Labor Day weekend.   In Oregon the Wilsonville Night Meet on Friday, so the successful return to action of Paige Rice, who began her defense of her 6A title with a victory in the Junior Division.  Her two mile time of 10:13 was the best time of the day for all female runners.   Piper Donaghu of Grant (10:18) & Charlotte Corliss of Sunset (10:31) placed 2nd & 3rd respectively.   Ella Donaghu of Grant got her freshman campaign off on a high note with a victory in the freshman race with a fine 10:25.    Kelly O’Neill of Lakeridge won the Elite race (10:51) over Tess Michaelson & Taryn Rawlings, Parkes Kendrick annexed the senior race defeating Ellen Patterson of St. Mary’s Academy & Sarah Fahmy of Sunset and Emma Wren of Cleveland scored among the sophomores with 11:24.

        Kyle Thompson went for the win in the Elite boys’ race but was overtaken by Julian Heninger of Lakeridge, who ran 9:03.   Of course the defending State champion can take solace in the fact that he did not win this race last fall but followed with a victory at State.   Colin Squires of West Linn led all comers in the freshman race with his 9:35, which included two solid freshman squads from both Central Catholic & West Linn.   Jean Baptiste Tooley of the Rams came in with 9:35, as he was the best in the sophomore race & Devin Sellers of Aloha took the junior race with 9:28 by topping Dante Dalla Gasperina of CC by a second.   Ethan Livermore of Cleveland scored among the senior field with his mark of 9:30.   We posted a bit more in the race at https://or.milesplit.com/articles/91678-wilsonville-night-race.

       With the Rams concentrating on the Wilsonville meet the Crusaders of Jesuit romped at the initial Portland Catholic Preview meet.    Sam Remington, Hunter McGuirk & Brian McDavitt garnered the first three places before Valley Catholic’s Cooper Roach broke the string.   In the girls’ race Ellie Kallgren led Jesuit to a sweep of the first seven placements before Maricela Jaroch of Valley Catholic stopped the parade.   This race was covered a bit at  https://or.milesplit.com/articles/91455-portland-catholic-preview

        Megan Beauchene is a junior, who had a break-out track season last spring.   On Friday she competed in her first cross country event and the results from the Hanford Jamboree were impressive.   Megan won the two mile event with a time of 11:49, which gave her a comfortable margin of victory.  The results here are a bit dubious, because Hanford is yet to post the results for its own team and they did have Erin Hegarty two seasons ago, who now competes for Baylor but we have to go with what we have.   Lindsey Bradley of Richland, a sophomore, ran 11:57 to top her team mate Lauren Perry, who was third with 12:42.  Michelle Fletcher of Kamiakin claimed fourth with 12:51 but then Richland pretty much salted away the victory as Kinzie Icayan (12:57) & Sidney Bullock (13:03) secured the next two spots.  Kamiakin’s Brittany Brooks took seventh in 13:11 before Samantha Bagley of Richland (13:22) completed the Richland scoring.  Jamie Callahan of Southridge placed ninth in 13:26 twelve seconds ahead of Jamie Taylor of Richland, who rounded out the top ten finishers.   Chiawana also competed but there are no scores from them at the moment either.    Kamiakin star Anthony Armstrong has graduated yet Kamiakin swept the top five places, as Austin Oser came up with the victory.   His time of 10:12 gave me an eight second margin over Keegan McCormick.  Garret Kraal, Andrew Snyder & Christian Rodriguez swept the next four places for Kamiakin before Richland’s Michael Williams broke the string with his clocking of 10:36.

         Alexis Fuller of Union got her sophomore campaign started with a victory with a mark of 12:31.  The Union leader won the Evergreen Kickstart Jamboree in Vancouver over a distance of two miles.  Skyview’s Sara Taferre gave Alexis a good battle and only finished a second later.   Cassie McKinney (12:33) led a trio of Union runners, which included Sere Brown & Kaitlyn McKinney before Stacia Matson of Battle Ground placed  sixth in 12:53.  Ashley Lodmell of Evergreen came in seventh with 13:55 & Hannah Delapp of Union placed ninth.  Margarita Golovina of Heritage crossed the line tenth in 14:12 & Neesen Bristow of Heritage followed in eleventh.       We have anticipated a very solid season from Skyview’s Colby Gilbert & his first race was a romp by almost half a minute, as he triumphed with a time of 10:07.  Columbia River got a second from Austin Blakenship, who ran 10:42.  Union’s Levi Sparks nipped CR runner Nicholas McMillan by a second with his time of 10:46.   Miles Park, also from CR, was fifth in 10:51 and Joshua Helmes of Battle Ground was sixth with 11:02.

       Idaho provided a surprise as Lila Klopfenstein upset both Mikayla Malaspina & Emily Hamlin plus Paige Dilmore.  Lila, who runs for Meridian, won the Caldwell Twilight with 18:07.  Dana Snell of Rocky Mountain ran 19:07, which was good for second as Malaspina, the Driscoll winner last week, finished third with 19:09.  Hamlin, who was one of the preseason favorites for State, placed fourth (19:15) in her first major race of the year (she did win the “Race for the Pies” earlier).   Paige Dilmore of Rocky Mountain, winner of the Camels Back last weekend, followed five seconds behind Hamlin in 19:20 and Cheryn Trapp of Vallivue was sixth with 19:25.   Sara Christianson of Borah took seventh in 19:36 and was followed twenty seconds later by Kaylee Oyler of RM.  Emily Coleman of Century came in ninth & Louisa Serpe of Timberline completed the top ten.   The Rocky girls easily defeated Vallivue 47 to 82.    Justin Ross remained undefeated (Camels Back last week) with his effort of 16:17.   Dwain Stucker of Meridian was second with 16:23, while Scott Sullivan of Century made a big improvement with his time of 16:24.   He had placed third last week at Driscoll but his time was 17:09.   Brennan Keen (16:33) of Timberline, Jordin Wallin of RM (16:39), Gabe Harm (16:40) of Eagle, Michael Cunningham of Kuna (16:44) & Andrew Burgess of Kuna rounded out the top ten.  Rocky Mountain had no trouble in the team race, as they had 43 points to Centennial’s 109.

       Saturday, the ensuing day, saw Bingham of Utah launch a successful invasion of Idaho, as the guys won in a breeze with a low of 17 to Mountain View ’s  68 and Idaho Falls’ 81. The Cardinal Classic at Soda Springs is another of Idaho’s traditional races on the calendar.   The girls had a closer battle but Bingham topped Soda Springs 63 to 105.   Hannah McInturff of Century was coming off a victory at Jerome and is still unbeaten by her state competitors but Emily Rich won by sixteen seconds with her time of 19:52.  Hailey Ricks Star Valley, second last week at Pocatello, followed in third with 19:52 & Cierra Simmons of Soda ran 19:52 for fourth.   Highland’s Presli Hutchinson followed in fifth with 20:01 and Niquelle Lewis of Idaho Falls was clocked in 20:19.  Seventh went to Selina Ramsey of Rock Springs with 20:20 & Kelsey Yamauchi of Soda, Karly Piaia of RS & Diseanna Kilgore of Highland completed the top ten.     Andrew Brewer of Bingham led the Bingham charge with his mark of 16:38 but Crowther of Preston was second with 16:51.  James Withers of Snake River was the only other runner to break 17 on the course, as he ran 16:56.  Ricky Faure of Rock Springs ran 17:07 to edge Bingham ’s  Erich Olshewski and D ’Artagnan Kilgore of Highland finished four seconds behind him with 17:17.  Rock Springs runners Asher Catterall & Krey Ramsey placed 8th & 9th respectively as Teton’s Caleb Moosman finished tenth & was followed by Jess Gray of Rock Springs & Kaden Clay of Highland.

        Alaska’s Northern Star Allie Ostrander, took a respite from her streak through the state’s competition, which gave Brooke Lizotte of Lathrop an opportunity, which she seized at the Delta Invitational.   Her time of 18:27 led her team mates Megan Kubichek & Allison Hebard.  Whoever claimed the boys’ victory is unknown to me but Lathrop runners seized the next two places, as Sam King was followed by Keegan Ragan.  Storm Williams of Lathrop ran 17:46 for fifth.

       It had been twelve years since he last home course loss for Kodiak but Fairbanks’ West Valley squad stopped the 22 meet string with a solid team effort, that captured the Kodiak Invitational.  Cole Christiansen of Kodiak (16:02) reversed the previous two decisions to his team mate Levi Thomet (16:10) but West Valley’s Peter Noon ran 16:32for third & was followed by Erich Hoefler (16:48) & Kuba Grzeda (17:01).  Levi Fried of Kodiak kept his team’s hopes alive with his  sixth place effort of 17:02 but then Max Donaldson of WV led a trio of Fairbanks runners (Mikko Sayre & Tristan Sayre were the others) to ensure a triumph.   Julian McCarthy of Kodiak was tenth.   The Kodiak girls, led by Adriane Horn’s second place effort of 20:46, gained a measure of revenge but Dorothy O’ Donnell’s 20:35 claimed the individual laurels for West Valley.   Leah Cawthorn of the home squad led her team mates Marley Wilkins & Sarah Ng, as Tamara Fairbanks & Julia Sherman of WV came in 6th & 7th.   McKenzie Barnett of Kodiak placed 8th to ensure the home squad’s triumph.   

      The Colony Invite is the second major meet of the year on the palmer course and Audrey Michaelson edged Rachel Noelle of West Anchorage for the victory.  Both runners were credited with 19:46 and they were followed by Makenzie Thompson of Colony (20:26).  Lydia Blanchet of West ran 20:37 for fourth & Megan Fink of East Anchorage was fifth in 20:38.  Kayle Blackmore, Katie Weddleton & JoJo Fleischman of West contributed placements of 6th, 7th & 9th respectively to complete a West victory.  Bailey Meier of Colony came in tenth.   Palmer harrier Chris Osiensky ran 17:09 to win by ten seconds over John Farr of East & Lyon Kopsack of Colony took third with 17:22.   David McPhetres of Chugiak crossed the line fourth with 17:31 & Austin Monzon of Anchorage Christian finished fifth 17:36.  Sean Herrman of Palmer’s 17:46 gave him a three second margin of Tim Sorenson of Chugiak & Homer’s Connor McCarron was 8th.   Peter Moma of West earned ninth & Boaz Sesson of Colony took tenth.

      The Flight Race at Jack Springs Park offers Cook Inlet runners smaller fields & numerous teams took up the option.   John Farr of East ran 9:52 to top David McPheters of Chugiak by six seconds.  Rachel Roelle of West ran 11:25, while Grace Graham had the second best time among the girls with 11:32.   Graham’s time, while second best in Flight A, was the next fastest time for girls.  Morgan Flynn of EAST won Flight B with a time of 11:33.   Eddie Seryozhenkov of South Anchorage had the third best time in Flight A for the boys, while Chris Kveseth of Chugiak won Flight B for the guys with 10:10.

       

                                                                                Around the Nation

Brunswick girls

     It was not a race-filled weekend or week in most of the rest of the nation but there certainly was some action of note.   We were back in Ohio to visit relatives and found time to take in a meet.  The Avon Early Bird was once a very important race, because teams from both the east & west side of the Cleveland had to run qualifying for state prelims there but with most east teams like Mentor and once powerful Euclid being moved to Youngstown Boardman, the race has lost a bit of its importance & hence its former field.   Still there was plenty of action as well as quality on hand.   The girls’ Maroon Division featured defending State champion Brunswick, which is expected to be a power once again despite graduation.  Although missing one girl due to health issues, they defeated always strong Bay, which has a very solid team 59 to 75.   Coach Anjanette Arabian of Magnificat was missing one runner with a stress fracture & another with Achilles issues but still placed third with 120 points.   The girls’ individual race saw Miranda DiBiasio of Berea establish an early lead, while Maddie Britton of Bay & Maddie Connelly were back around fifth.   During the middle of the race it was Britton & Connelly pushing the pace but Britton pulled away with a mile to go and earned her second victory of the season:  this time with a time of 19:34.  It was hot and somewhat humid and a hill, which must be challenged twice, made the course a bit more of a challenge.  Connelly took second fifteen seconds later & DiBiasio held on to finish in third with 20:14.  Becky Rohwer of Brush earned fourth with 20:18 & Vanessa Pasadyn of Brunswick led her team with a fifth place finish.      Head Coach Jim Emery of Cleveland Heights Beaumont was not on hand but his charges won the Gold Division anyway topping Padua 88 to 90.   Neubauer of Open Door ran  20:53 for the victory.   The St. Ignatius boys’ have long been prominent & a tight pack led them to victory once again.   Coach Mike Gallagher was quite happy with the overall effort & progress as the Wildcats rolled to victory with a low of 35 points.   Dan Zupan of Berea had the day’s fastest time with his 16:23 clocking, while Ryan Gallagher of Buckeye was second with 16:25.   Jack Miller of Iggie led the Wildcats with 16:37.   The Avon Lake Early Bird Meet has produced numerous State champions as well as Foot Locker qualifiers over the years and Kyle Polman, whose brother Ryan made it to San Diego last fall, dominated his race by winning by almost a minute with 16:27.

St. Ignatius

       The Mentor Invitational was also held on Saturday and the name there to watch is Nick Elswick of Chardon, who won with a time of 16:15.  Chardon has a solid history but Elswick is already starting to rewrite their record book.   Corine Kule, also from Chardon, was the best of the girls with 19:05.   At the “U Wanna Come Back” Invitational held in Perry  Adam Berry of Hawken topped the field with 17:05.

Ally Markovich of Hawken had the fastest time of all the girls with 19:07.  Amy Dalpiaz of Lake Catholic finished behind her with 20:26. 

     

                                                                                Michigan

    It might seem, as if Erin Finn has been around forever but the two time Foot Locker finalist is back for her senior year, which she got under way successfully at the Northville Mustang meet.  Her time was scintillating for this time of the season at 17:39.

 

                                                                                Maine

       That state had been dominated in recent years by Abbey Leonardi & Emily Durgin, who both made it to Foot Locker, as well as Abby Mace & Fiona Hendry.   They have all moved on but this year there is Bethanie Brown, who won the 3 Mile KVAC race in 17:41.   Kristina Smith of Poland won the Lake Region Meet with 18:27 & Silas Eastmont of Fryburg led the guys in 14:44.   At Ellsworth the leaders were Dan Curtis with 16:06 & Aleta Looker with 19:29.   Both runners were from Ellsworth, who claimed their own invitational.

 

                                                                                Illinois

        Kaylee Flanagan, yet another Foot Locker alumnus, claimed the Fenton Invite with 16:56.

 

                                                                                Colorado

     Jordan Colter, who impressed at last year’s Danner race, scored at Cheyenne Mountain in 19:17.

                                                                                Indiana

       At Terre Haute Jacob Thomson won with 15:39 but Jackson Bertoli was a solid second in 15:44.   Haley Harris was the best of the girls with 18:42.   At Hamilton County Kelcy Welch of Carmel won with 18:38 & Troy Reeder of Hamilton SE had 15:36.   The Harrison Invitational saw top performances from Kyle Burks (15:44) & Bobby Burgess (17:58).

 

                                                                                Utah

    Ben Saarel, who has been quite close at Foot locker West, scored at Utah County with 14:58 to edge Jacob Heslington by a second.  Summer Harper led the gals with 17:44.

 

                                                                                Florida

   Julie Woolrath secured the Wickham Park title in 18:30.

 

                                                                                Georgia

     It was another Foot Locker finalist leading the parade at the Bulldog Invitational in 14:53.  Katherine Yost led the way for the girls’ with 17:32.

 

                                                                                North Dakota

     Jake Leingang, one of the top returnees hopefully at Foot Locker, took the Rusty Bucket with 15:59.

 

                                                                                Arizona

     That state has two runners, who should have dreams of San Diego as Bernie Montoya won the Sole Sport with 14:53.   Bernie dominated in track as well, while Sarah Fakler of Xavier Prep has followed in the steps of her former team mate Jessica Tonn, who qualified for Foot Locker.    Fakler ran 17:55 on the three mile course.

 

                                                                                Nevada

     The Labor Day Classic in Las Vegas drew a quality field, which Jackson Carter ran away from in the Junior-Senior boys’ division.  The Clark HS harrier’s time of 14:27 for the 2.7 mile course was the class of the meet.   Mucuranyana Amon of Centennial placed second with 14:43 & Alan Ekanger of Coronado came in third with 14:47.  Dajour Braxton, also from Centennial, topped the Freshman-sophomore division with 14:56.   Sara Dort of Coronado was the girls’ winner with 17:39.  Zanae Jones of Arbor View followed in second with 17:53, while Emily Adams of Bonanza earned third with 18:09.  Brooke Locey of Desert Oasis may be the runner to watch in the future after her triumph in the freshman-sophomore race.  Running in her first season of XC & second meet she zipped home in a brisk 17:51 and won her flight by over a minute.

 

                                                                                New Mexico

         The Lobo Invitational in Santa Fe (U New Mexico) was run under the lights but defending State champion Luis Martinez had no trouble finding his way, as he sped to victory in 16:01.   For Julie Gianinni one year made a great amount of difference, as she won easily with a time of 19:40.  Julie had only been 24th at State last year & really looks ready to roll this season.

                                                                                Wisconsin

    They ran the Rebel Invite on the fabled Kenosha Course at Wisconsin-Parkside and Ally Anich was the best of the girls with her 15:02 for 4K.  Martin Martinez of Warren won in 16:05.

 

                                                                                For What It’s Worth

        When you think about cross country (& track) for the past three decades one of the teams, which ought to come to mind are the Saratoga girls, who have dominated the sport at times.   On Sept. 14 there will be a dozen new inductees into their Hall of Fame.  As great as numerous of their girls have been, for example Erin Davis, Cheri Goddard & Nicole Blood to name a few, not one of the new members is a harrier.   The aptly named Blue Streaks were shut out this year.    Talk about a lack of respect?!

 

                                                                                Edward Cheserek

    New jersey gets into action this week but the nation’s premier male runner, Foot Locker national title holder, will not be seen for a bit.  Reports have it that he will start his season late to prepare for his SAT exams.   That leaves the door open early to all, who aspire to his title.

Britton & Connelly battle at Avon