Presented by Wildcats head cross country coach Dr. Mike Gallagher '71 and Posted by Eddie Dwyer
FROM COACH GALLAGHER: The Wildcats ran split squad races on Saturday, with the freshman travelling east to Walsh Jesuit High School and the varsity and open squads racing the Tiffin Carnival.
Despite a scheduling error on my part, the freshman harriers held their own in the varsity open race with a second place finish. Will Maier was 3rd overall in 18:45, followed by Colin Canigula (18:56), Mike Trentel (19:07), Nick Robert (19:25), Matt Harsar (19:57), Conor Sepesy (PR by over a minute in 20:09) and Nathan Schwartz (20:17) in rounding out the top 7.
The varsity B squad started the afternoon race at 3:30 with the sun hot and high and a scant breeze that barely curled the flags on the course. Once again, the weather would take its toll.
With the lead runners coming through the first mile in under 5 minutes, the 'Cats held back a bit, with memories of LCCC lingering in their minds. By the 2 mile the 'Cats started to move, but ran out of real estate and had to settle for 5th place with 159 pts. Sean Sovacool led the team with an 11th place finish 17:26 earning his varsity letter. CJ Ambrosia ran 17:57 and finished 21st, which also earned him his varsity letter. Kevin Keaton (18:13), David Meler (18:20), Brennan Leitch (18:28), Pat Nolan (18:37) and Alex Falkenberg (18:54) followed and scored for the team.
The varsity A race is typically the most competitive of the day. Forty-one teams and 285 runners toed the line waiting for the starter's pistol. The race went out fast and never let up, despite the heat. The top runners came through the first mile in a blistering 4:42, with Luke Wagner close behind in 4:53.
The rest of the 'Cats followed in a tight group. But as the race progressed, the heat took its toll on many of the runners, including the 'Cats. The team could only manage a 13th place finish, with Luke Wagner 14th overall in 16:15. Elliott Thorkelson 16:51, John Nemes 17:36, Jeff Foerg 17:37, Greg Miller 17:49 ( varsity letter), Andrew Szendrey 17:52 (varsity letter) and Conor Reilly 18:12 rounded out the team scoring.
By the time of the open race a light rain had started to fall and the temperature had dropped. Against a field of 684 runners, the Wildcats took advantage of the respite in the weather and took the open team title with 53 points.
Jimmy Rogers waited until the 3-mile mark to take the lead and surged to the finish in 16:54, taking the individual victory. Congrats to him on earning his varsity letter. Also scoring for the team were Pat McGuire 18:05 (a huge PR), Mark McHugh 18:20, Sam Brown with an 18:21 PR, Mike Kraft 18:24, Sam Rapnicki (cast and all) 18:33 and Brian Drellishak 18:38.
On Saturday, everyone is running at the Galion Invite at Amann Reservoir Park. The directions from the meet website are: Amann’s is on State Route 309/61, approximately 1/2 mile south of the west edge of Galion. Please use the Route 309/61 entrance to the park. There is no sign, but a flagpole and a cannon mark the spot. The Varsity Race is scheduled for 3:30 and the Open Race will begin at 4:30. The team bus leaves Saint Ignatius at 12:30 PM.