Here is some cross country analysis as leagues/conferences hold their championship meets and the state championships approach.
Louisville senior Kyle Kling and Medina junior Donny Roys have each been impressive runners this season, but there are still several teams that have a good collection of talent and other individuals that are having success.
The cross country teams at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and Woodridge are two examples of squads that have consistently fared well at invitationals this season, in addition to Louisville, Medina, North Canton Hoover Green, Jackson, Louisville, Hudson, Crestwood, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Walsh Jesuit.
CVCA and Woodridge have front-end talent and depth that make them a contender at each meet.
CVCA has been led by juniors Katie Gillespie and Kyle Sullinger. The girls and boys teams each placed first recently at the Legends Meet at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds.
Gillespie and junior Carolyn Case have paced the Royals girls squad with freshmen Joy Talbott, Irene Frangos and Hannah Lyons also being key contributors. The girls team placed first in September at the Division II Boardman Spartan Invitational.
Sullinger and sophomores Ross Crocker and Mark Talbott have paced the Royals boys squad.
The Woodridge girls’ squad was second to CVCA at Boardman. The Bulldogs have been led by juniors Emily Sabo, Erin Mercer and sophomore Becca Howdyshell.
The Woodridge boys’ team won the Division II Boardman Spartan Invitational in September behind senior Brian Himelright, who placed first. The Bulldogs have also received significant contributions from juniors Michael Rhodes and Joe White, seniors Tony Marette and Matthew Weiss and freshmen Jimmy Charles and Vibus Sivakumaran.
This Saturday several leagues will be holding their championship. The City Series and Suburban League will be running at Goodyear Metro Park in Akron.
The Firestone boys will look to defend their title after winning the past four titles and five out of the past six. The Ellet girls will look to win the title for a sixth season in a row.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Beaven, do you think even the parents of the kids who participate in cross country care about cross country?
How about a preview of high school bowling?
Who are the top bowlers in the Akron area? What’s the outlook for the City Series in bowling this year?
CROSS COUNTRY – The Portage County League meet in the guise of the District Meet @Malone. It’s going to shake out some teams that have gotten no attention from the BJ all Year.
WATCH THEM GIRL”S FROM WATERLOO!!!
‘THEY ROCK!’
Yes, we DO care about cross country…these kids put in more miles a week than is believable! They work hard and deserve the proper recognition! Thank you for covering them!
Good luck at Districts everyone!!!