FROM THE HEAD COACH OF THE DEFENDING STATE CHAMPION HARRIERS, DR. MIKE GALLAGHER '71, and posted by Mr. Eddie Dwyer
A soggy course at the Walsh Jesuit Tomahawk Run invitational did not slow the Freshman 'Cats.
Robby Klanac jumped right to the front and finished unchallenged in 18:39 to lead the team to a first place finish with 22 points. Charlie Rooney followed in 18:58, with Jack Mayer 19:19, Elliot Rodstrom 19:23, Andrew Eicher 19:25, Nick Mulhorn 19:32 and Liam Rielly 19:34 sealing the team's victory.
At Hedges Boyer Park in Tiffin, foreboding clouds were threatening all day. As we watched the storm front approach, higher powers miraculously pushed the storm east and north of the park and spared the course from rain.
However, the humidity was so pervasive, the runners dri fit singlets were already saturated when the Varsity B team took the line. At the far end of the startline in spot #43, the 'Cats were off at the gun.
We knew the field was stacked with many teams running their top varsity squads. The pace was quick as the runners hit the mile in 4:55. The 'Cats wisely laid off the hot early pace. Andrew Biehl led the team's move through the pack. With 800 meters, the 'Cats pounced on the leaders and sprinted to the finish line. Finishing in 12th was Andrew in 17:24, which started the avalanche of Saint Ignatius runners behind him. Logan Kijewski followed in 17:27 with Gabe Ohliger (17:35), Nathan Soria (17:50), freshman Steven Zucca (17:54) --in his first Varsity race-- Will Deucher (18:00) and Matt Blouch (18:11) rounding out the top 7 'Cats.
With less than an hour in between races, the Varsity A was at the line. As the gun sounded, a stiff wind from the south upended team tents, chairs and banners throughout the park like a scene from "Twister."
C.J. Ambrosio wasted no time getting into the front pack and passed the mile in a blistering 4:40 with the rest of the team close behind. This would be a burner of a race. C.J. powered through the course and was able to hold on for 5th place overall in 15:42.
Next across the line for the Wildcats was Colin Caniglia, who would not be denied, finishing in 16:21 (PR). Liam McGuire followed close behind in 16:27, 25 seconds faster than the previous year at Tiffin.
Pat Nolan (16:40), Andrew Szendrey (16:44), Nick Saul (17:00) and Collin Kelly (17:14) closed out the scoring for the 'Cats.
The effort was commendable, but left the Cats with a third place finish behind two very good teams, Solon and St Xavier.
In the final race of the day, the Junior Varsity squad went to the line against 650 runners. That's right 650! The Wildcats asked and gave no quarter as the runners bumped and jostled for position over the first mile. The rains finally came about 10 minutes into the race, providing some relief from the heat. Brett Saunders rolled through the final mile to finish in 5th place in 1742. After leading the race at 2 miles, Will Maier gamely hung to finish 8th overall in 17:50. Joe Ripepi 18:04, Owen Lammermeier 18:20, Ben Crane 18:30 (PR), Tom Rochester 18:29 (PR), Dillon Bangasser 18:30 and Aiden Morrison 18:31 (PR) pulled the team to a 2nd place finish behind Kenston.
This week's schedule:
Monday: Mastick 3:30-5:30
Tuesday:Edgewater 3:30-5:30
Wednesday: Mastick 3:30-5:30
Thursday:Cedar Point Parkway 3:30-5:30
Friday: SIHS 3-4:30
Saturday: The Boardman Invitational at Boardman High School. Bus leaves SIHS at 11:00am. Varsity runners arrive by 11:45am. All freshmen/JV/open runners arrive by 12:30 if you are driving on your own.
Varsity race at 1:00pm.
Freshmen/JV/Open race at 1:30pm
Go 'Cats!
Doc