Here is Dr. Mike Gallagher's up close look at the Wildcats' cross country team, as Saint Ignatius competed in Saturday's annual McDonough Invitational at Forest Hills.

With temperatures in the 60s, low humidity and a relatively dry course, the Forest Hills race had some of the best conditions to date leading to multiple PRs on a notoriously difficult course.. While most runners on the other teams struggled with the famous Forest Hills Park hill, the Wildcats made it look easy thanks to the weekly hill training at Edgewater Park.

In the JV Race, Jim Rogers 17:52 finished first overall, leading the Wildcats to a first place team finish. Rounding out the top 7 were Alex Falkenburg 18:12, Sean Sovacool 18:17, Greg Miller 18:27, Brennan Leitch 18:29, Andrew Ohliger 18:57 and Mark McHugh 19:21.

The Wildcats also took the team title in the Open Race. Quinn Frank was the top Saint Ignatius runner, finishing in 18:20. He was followed by Brian Drellishak 18:25, Zak Zubic 18:41, Brendan Krevis 18:42, Michael Kraft 18:45, Jake Radeff 18:59 and Sam Rapnicki 19:07.

In the Varsity Race, the Wildcats finished fourth. They were led by David Meler 17:28, Jack Politowicz 17:38, Pat Politowicz 17:52, Liam Farrington 17:53, Matt Paponetti 18:08, Sean Williamson 18:09 and Connor Lough 18:34.

*Although the first official OHSAA computer rankings for football won't be released until Tuesday, Saint Ignatius is No. 1 in the Division I, Region 1 rankings by computer playoff guru Joe Eitel.

Eitel has Austintown Fitch second; Willoughby South third; St. Edward fourth; North Royalton fifth; Cleveland Heights sixth; Mentor seventh and Warren G. Harding eighth. Under the OHSAA Harbin playoff system, the top eight teams in each of the state's 24 regions at the end of the regular season qualify for the postseason. The top four in each region are awarded a home game in the first round.

*Just a reminder that Coach Ryan Franzinger's junior varsity football team will face Strong Vincent on Monday at Wasmer Field. The kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., although I would suggest arriving by 5. The Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network will air the matchup between the JV Wildcats and the Colonels' jayvees, with John Fanta '13, fresh off another NFL Sunday, teaming with new SIBN members Cole Larsen '14 and Pat McGwire '14.

*And just another reminder that Coach Mike McLaughlin's 9-0 varsity soccer team, ranked No. 1 in the area and state coaches polls, will travel to St. Edward on Wednesday night for a much-anticipated encounter with the Eagles. It will be the first meeting between the Wildcats and the Eagles since last fall's memorable district final on Wasmer Field, which ended with a Golden Goal victory by Saint Ignatius. Wednesday's varsity game is slated for 8 p.m.

Rounding the corner and looking forward to more steady improvement from the JV football team on Monday evening, Wednesday's short trip to St. Edward for soccer and doing my annual Tuesday interview with Wildcats head football Coach Chuck Kyle '69 as Chuck lends his insight on the McDowell Trojans (2-1), Saint Ignatius' opponent on Friday night in Erie, Pennsylvania.