From the Head Coach of the defending State Champion Cross Country Wildcats, Dr. Mike Gallagher '71, and posted by Mr. Eddie Dwyer
Runners and Parents,
With Autumn's colors and a crisp morning to greet them, the team arrived at Silver Spring Park in Stow for the Bulldog Invitational.
The course was damp and spongy in a few places, but otherwise in great shape for October cross country. Three Jesuit schools - Saint Ignatius, McQuaid from Rochester and Walsh Jesuit were joined at the start with a dozen other schools for this fall classic.
The course starts on a grassy meadow and then turns downhill before winding back to the mile mark. As usual, C.J. was up front with four 'Cats close behind, Andrew, Nick, Liam, and Colin Caniglia. The large Ignatian contingent and fans lined the entire course and kept the runners company with screams of encouragement.
The race was still close at the 3200m mark with Saint Ignatius, Hudson and Woodridge trading the lead. The home stretch is a runner's dream, downhill and fast!
The Wildcats made it close, but could not overtake Hudson in the last mile, finishing second as a team, 59-69. C.J. led the CatPack with a second place finish in 15:53, followed by Andrew Szendrey (16:33), Liam McGuire (16:46), Nick Saul (16:46), and Colin Caniglia (16:55) to round out the scoring. Andrew Biehl (16:58), Collin Kelly (17:19), Nathan Soria (17:30) and Steve Zucca (17:36) closed out the Varsity squad.
The sun had come out from behind the clouds as the Open race began, and Brett Saunders immediately went to the front and did not let off the gas, leading wire-to-wire in 17:24 (PR). Logan Kijewski was the next Wildcat across the line in 17:35 with Gabe Ohliger (17:40),Will Maier (17:46), freshman Charlie Rooney (in a 17:52 PR and Varsity Letter!), freshman Andrew Mulhern (17:55, Varsity Letter and PR!), and freshman Liam Reilly (18:05 PR) following close behind.
This week's schedule:
Monday: Mastick 3:30-5,Tuesday: Edgewater 3:30-5
Wednesday: Mastick 3:30-5
Thursday: Cedar Point 3:30-5
Friday: SIHS 3-4 pre-comp
Saturday: Sim Earich Invitational at Trumbull County Fairgrounds. Bus leaves Saint Ignatius at 10:15. Please arrive by 11:30 if you are driving on your own.
The Varsity Race is at 12:30 PM, JV/Open/Freshmen at 1:50 PM.
Go 'Cats
Doc