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Gallagher Report: Boardman Meet

By Dr. Michael Gallagher '71, 09/18/17, 10:30AM EDT

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Runners and Parents,

One of the best parts of the trip to Boardman High School is to drive past the massive Lordstown assembly plant (currently producing the Chevy Cruz). GM has been making Chevy's there for nearly 40 years, including (and you baby boomers may remember this car) the 1967 Chevy SS Impala. They don't make em like this anymore!!  You can pick up a candy apple red convertible SS (super sport) with a 427 cubic inch "turbojet" engine, turbo hydromatic transmission, aluminum intake manifold , dual exhaust , 12 bolt rear end to handle the horsepower and rally wheels for $48 K!!  Who's with me??

Now back to the race.

Unseasonably warm temperatures greeted the runners as they arrived.  80 degrees, clear skies and neary a breeze to be found. This will be the regional course in a few weeks, so the 'Cats would be taking full measure of the layout.  377 runners toed the line for the start of the Varsity race.  The two loop course heads uphill for the first 300 m (including a steep incline that always causes a few stumbles in the pack ), then hooks around the ball fields and sends the runners back downhill for the first mile.  The Wildcats were cautious, knowing that the front harriers would pay for their quick start.  With 800m to go, a pack of navy singlets had regrouped and were closing on the leaders. Unfortunately, the boys ran out of real estate, finishing 3rd to Hudson and Massillon Jackson. Scoring for Ignatius were: Andrew Biehl 16:45, Liam McGuire 16:47, Brett Saunders 16:49, Nick Saul 17:00, Steve Zucca 17:01, Matt Blouch 17:18, and Logan Kijewski 17:48.

The JV race was slightly smaller, with only 338 competitors. Much like the varsity race, the field jostled and stumbled through the hill. By the first mile mark, the field had separated, with Nathan Soria surrounded by a pack of Hudson Explorers. Nathan made his final move with 500 meters to go and won the race going away in 17:24!!  He was followed by Andrew Eicher 18:11, Kartar Vig 18:14, Elliot Rodstrom 18:24, Connor McAndrew 18:24, GT Moy 18:45, and Charlie Rooney 18:48. The team results were the same as the Varsity race, with Hudson and Massillon Jackson besting the 'Cats.

With Homecoming Night fast approaching, the Open runners were anxious to get to the starting line. Nearly 500 competitors were spread across the field. This was going to be full-contact cross country!!  A solid pack of Wildcats muscled through the first mile and formed the majority of the front group.  The lead changed hands several times.  With 800 meters to go, the race was down to two competitors: Rodgers from North Allegheny, and Ignatius freshman Connor Geary. The sports program lists Connor (generously) as 5'5",  105 lbs , with a 25 in" vertical leap.  Connor dug his spikes in and fought gamely,  ultimately finishing in a close 2nd place with a time of 18:18. He was followed  by Tom Rochester 18:34, Aidan Morrison 18:46, Joe Ripepi 18:50, Andrew Ulrich 19:00, and Ben Crane 19:01. The Cats' effort secured the team victory over Massillon and Hudson. And it was off to homecoming!!

Full results of all races can be found here: 

https://www.baumspage.com/cc/ccevent.php?peventid=55&table=C

If you have not seen the team video, here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3tHYFSwf20&feature=youtu.be

Thanks to Alex Barni '12 who filmed, directed and edited the project!

Snap chat video coverage provided by Robby Klanac: https://drive.google.com/file/d/OBxvcWx6GqsU5UC1ZdTJkTy03ZXc/view?usp=sharing

This week's schedule:

Monday: Edgewater 3:30-5:15

Tuesday: Mastick 3:30-5:15

Wednesday: Edgewater 3:30-5:15

Thursday: Cedar Point 3:30-5:15 

(Cedar point is located at the corner of Valley Parkway and Cedar Point hill, 3mi south of Mastick) 

Friday: SIHS 3-4

Saturday: All runners at Strongsville High School (20025 Lunn Road)

Varsity (top 9 runners) 10:30am, JV/Open/Freshmen 11:30am

Bus leaves SIHS at 9:30am