The George Auten Invitational was conducted in mostly rain at Ellet High School, yet North won the boys title and Firestone won the girls crown.

North won the boys meet with 155 points and Firestone (118) edged Ellet (117) in the girls meet.

North senior Troy Burgan was the boys meet high-point scorer with 32 points after winning the 110 meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles. Burgan also placed second in the long jump and fifth in the high jump.

The Vikings won two relays: the 3,200 (Steve Triola, Davon Coman, Shaun Cummings and LaRue Wimley) and the 400 (DeMonte Powell, Lase Brooks, Antuan Logan and Larry Dawson).

Brooks, a senior, also won the 100 and 200.

“We had prom last night and had everyone show up today in the rain, which was nice,” North coach Tom O’Neil said. ‘”They are an extemely dedicated senior class.”

Firestone senior Nia Johnson won the 3,200 and the Falcons won two relays: the 800 (Julie Kostura, Monique Ransome, Courtney Carter, Rachel White) and the 1600 (Alex Olmedo, McKenna Morton, Courtney Carter, Kachay Hullum).

“Our team has worked very hard this season and they are very deserving of this victory,” Firestone coach Malia Milec said. “I am confident that they will continue their success.”

Kenmore’s Shanequa Williams won the girls 100, 200 and 400.

Ellet, Archbishop Hoban and Firestone rounded out the top four teams on the boys side. Hathaway Brown and North placed third and fourth on the girls side.

The City Series baseball teams will not have a four-team playoff at the end of the regular season. One veteran City coach said there may have been the perception on the outside that the reason the league did away with the playoff system several years ago was because the district was going through financial difficulty, which forced cuts in extracurricular activities.

The district passed a levy which helped bring back those extracurricular activities that were cut. But Ellet coach John Sarver said the levy had nothing to do with the elimination of the playoff system.

Sarver said it all started a few years back when the basketball teams decided to drop the four-team playoff system and instead just play the championship game between the top two teams. That change was implemented because the basketball teams, in putting together schedules each season, had to factor in the possibility of playing in the semifinal and/or championship games. That meant coaches could only schedule 18 games (OHSAA rules allow for 20 regular season games) in case they made it to the City playoffs. But if a team didn’t make the playoffs, they would have only played 18 or 19 games during the regular season.

So the baseball teams decided to follow suit and drop the playoff system, allowing the coaches to schedule two additional games in place of the two dates they would have reserved for the playoffs.

Incidently, OHSAA rules allow 27 regular season baseball games.

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

Tom O’Neil is still the track coach at North even though he gave up his position as head football coach after the 2006-07 season.

But that football mentality is still in his head.

While I was at a City Series track meet at Ellet Tuesday, I found it odd that O’Neil was standing along the fence near the finish line with a stop watch. Now keep in mind, the meet was between host Ellet, Buchtel and Firestone. North wasn’t competing.

So I asked O’Neil, “Hey Tom, are you helping with the timing?” He answered, no, we run against Buchtel in a few days so I’m just scouting.”

I doubled over in laughter. I couldn’t believe it.

Then again, as competitive and thorough as O’Neil was as a football coach for 12 years at North, it didn’t surprise me.

This is going to be Nefertitia Phair’s year. At least that’s what she’s hoping.

Phair is a junior at Ellet and last year she had a solid season by finishing runnerup in the shot put at the Division I district meet in Austintown. In fact, Phair’s toss (38-8) was tied with Twinsburg’s Leah Love but Love had a better throw during seeding. Still, Phair qualified for regionals and although she came up short in qualifying for the state meet in Columbus, she said she’s motivated this year.

“I want to break the school record, which is 38-10,” Phair said, as she competed in a three-way meet Tuesday at Ellet against Buchtel and Firestone. “My personal best is 38-8,” she said. “”And my other goal is to get to state.”

Phair said she’s going to put in the work this season so that she gets that opportunity. Yet, as proud as Phair is of her accomplishments last year, she’s just as proud of her work outside of track, more specifically, her job as an employee at McDonald’s on East Market Street and Mogadore Road, not far from the high school.

And Phair proudly stated, with big smile, that she does it all at the fast food restaurant. So I asked her, “”Can you make an ice cream cone so it’s not lopsided and ready to fall over before I even take one lick?” Her response, “”I can do it with no problem.”

“”OK, can you make a McFlurry so it’s extra flurry,” I asked. She laughed hysterically and responded, “”I can hook you up.”

Then, my last question was, “”So, when the timer on the fries goes off, and it’s beeping like crazy and no one goes over to take them off the rack, do you know how to take them off that little rack, shake the grease off and dump them into the tray?” She answered, “”Of course. I told you, I can do it all.”

Her attitude was refreshing and as long as she can apply that same work attitude that she has at McDonald’s to the track, she’ll be well on her way this year.[ep

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.

Here are a few quick notes regarding City Series football, which has certainly been surprising this season.

The madness began Sept. 15 when Ellet defeated Buchtel.

With Buchtel (0-5, 0-3 City Series) struggling, the race for the title is wide open. It appears that (listed alphabetically) Firestone (3-2, 2-0), Garfield (3-2, 1-0) and North (4-1, 2-0) are the favorites to win the City Series title.

These notes were gathered via Beacon Journal records.

– The Firestone win over Ellet (27-7) on Friday (Sept. 21) was the Falcons first victory over the Orangemen (3-2, 1-1) since 1996. Ellet had won 10 in a row over Firestone from 1997-2006. The Falcons defeated the Orangemen twice in the 1995 season, once in the regular season and once in the City championship game. It should be noted that Buchtel played in the state playoffs that season and that is why Firestone and Ellet met in the title game.

– The North win over Buchtel (24-0) on Friday (Sept. 21) was the Vikings first victory over the Griffins in 23 years, according to people within the North football community.

– Firestone and North meet this Friday (Sept. 28). The Falcons won last year 21-6, but the Vikings won the previous four meetings (2002-2005). Since 1994, North has won seven times and Firestone has won six times.

– Firestone and Garfield meet next Friday (Oct. 5). The Falcons won 37-21 last year, but the Golden Rams won the previous nine meetings (1996-2005). Since 1994, Garfield is 10-2 against Firestone (wins in 1995 and 2006). They did not play each other in 2004.

– Garfield and Buchtel meet Oct. 19. The Golden Rams last beat the Griffins in 2001 and 1998. Buchtel has won the past five meetings (2002-2006).

I will look for other trends and streaks within the City Series and post them at a later date. Stay tuned.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Firestone senior wide receiver Gary Franklin tries to avoid Ellet defenders after making a catch during the Falcons’ win over the Orangemen Friday night.

The visiting Ellet Orangemen football team defeated the Buchtel Griffins 14-12 Saturday afternoon.

The victory gives Ellet a 3-1 overall record and a 1-0 City Series mark.

The loss for Buchtel (0-4, 0-1) ends a 31-game winning streak against City Series opponents. Buchtel’s last loss to a league foe was to Garfield in 2001 and the last time Ellet beat Buchtel was in 1995.

Buchtel senior Kameron Alexander opened the scoring with a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The point after touchdown (PAT) was blocked. The Griffins led 6-0 at halftime.

Ellet opened the third quarter with an impressive 12-play drive that covered 65 yards. Ellet senior quarterback Chad Keppler threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior Travis Hamad on a 4th-and-9 play, and then senior Tom Yakubik made the PAT.

Keppler opened the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown rush, which was followed by a Yakubik PAT.

Buchtel responded late in the fourth quarter with a 64-yard touchdown. Senior receiver Johnny Adams caught a short pass from junior quarterback Micah Mosley and made some fantastic moves to score. The Griffins two-point conversion failed after three penalties set them back; two delay of games and a personal foul (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Ellet’s defense and offensive line were particularly impressive, and Orangemen junior Davon Roberson rushed for 74 yards on 20 carries.

Adams had four receptions for 111 yards and Alexander rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries.

The Akron Beacon Journal will have a story on this game in Sunday’s newspaper.

The City Series’ two best football teams from last season meet at noon Saturday when Buchtel hosts Ellet.

The Griffins and Orangemen were each 5-0 in City Series games last season and shared the City title because they were not scheduled to play each other.

This season, the two teams meet in week four.

Buchtel comes into the game at 0-3 after losses to Walsh Jesuit, Steubenville and Warren Harding. Ellet is 2-1 following wins over Springfield and Cuyahoga Falls and a loss to Tallmadge.

Recent history favors Buchtel, as the Griffins have won 31 consecutive City Series games and 78 out of its past 81 league games dating back to 1995.

Garfield was the last City Series school to defeat Buchtel. The Golden Rams beat the Griffins in 2001 and 1998. Ellet’s last victory over Buchtel came in 1995.

Here are the scores between Buchtel and Ellet from 1995 to 2005, according to Beacon Journal records:

2005 Buchtel 21-6
2004 Buchtel 48-21
2003 Buchtel 48-0
2002 Buchtel 28-9
2001 Buchtel 35-7
2000 Buchtel 52-14
1999 Buchtel 34-17
1998 Buchtel 50-14
1997 Buchtel 35-8
1996 Buchtel 19-10
1995 Ellet 27-24

So the question entering Saturday’s matchup is: Can Ellet knock off Buchtel and end the streak?

Let us know what you think.

There are a few scores that stood out in week 2 of high school football. Here is what I noticed:

North beat Coventry 32-22. That means North is 2-0. North is undefeated after the first two weeks for the first time since 1976. The Vikings are off to this rare start with first-year head coach Ken Johnson leading the way.

Johnson is a 1990 graduate of North who dreamed of becoming head coach at his alma mater one day. After 15 years as an assistant, he got his chance and he’s taking advantage of his opportunity. Congratulations to coach Johnson and the Vikings for their good start.

Click here for some North-Coventry game notes and quotes from Johnson.

Tallmadge defeated Ellet 17-7. The Blue Devils keep winning but it’s not by the margin of victory expected for the Beacon Journal’s preseason No. 1 team.

Last week, Tallmadge defeated Cuyahoga Falls 17-14, which raised the question: Is Tallmadge overrated of is Cuyahoga Falls underrated?

Cuyahoga Falls went on to lose to Wadsworth 38-14 in week 2. Click here to watch a really cool behind-the-scenes video of the Cuyahoga Falls-Wadsworth game.

Stow defeated Kent Roosevelt 45-20. The Bulldogs have already matched their 2006 season total for wins by earning a 2-0 start.

Stow beat Kenmore in a rout in week 1. But the Bulldogs did the same thing last year, then went on to finished with a record of 2-8. However, Stow appears to be a much improved team this year. The Bulldogs aren’t just winning games, they are thrashing their opponents.

Are there any teams surprising you? Let me know.