From the Head Coach of the defending State Champion Harriers of Saint Ignatius, Dr. Mike Gallagher '71, and posted by Mr. Eddie Dwyer
COACH GALLAGHER: The trip to the Trumble County Fair Grounds meet is truly nostalgic. Country roads (think John Denver), rolling farmland, Amish buggies and my favorite, Monty's Restaurant. (I'm not making this up) advertising " Home cooking with a bait shop in the basement."
An unseasonably warm day greeted the runners at the course. That was not the only problem. The bus made a wrong turn and was headed to PA before turning around and arriving at the course a mere 15 minutes before the Junior Varsity race.
The boys showed their mettle by quickly spiking up and getting to the starting line just in time for the final instructions. From the gun it was a two man race.
Matt Blouch stayed with the leader through 4 K and finished 2nd in 17:58 to earn his second varsity letter! Owen Lammameier 18:12 PR, Ben Crane 18:15 PR, Conor Sepesy 18:35, Dillon Bangasser 18:37, Andrew Eicher 18:42 and Nick Snider 18:44 secured the win with 25 points.
The Varsity race had 2 Wildcat teams competing. Leading the Blue team for the first mile was Will Maier, throwing caution to the wind, with the temp in the 80's, in 5:15. The field stretched out by the two mile with 14 Cats still in the hunt. The final 200 meters sent the runners through a horse stable to the finish.
Freshman Steve "Z" Zucca bolted from the barn like a thoroughbred and finished in 7th place in a PR of 17:18 to lead the Cats. Also scoring for the Blue team were Will Maier at 17:25, Gabe Ohliger 17:29, Nick Soria 17:38; Brett Saunders 18:08; Pat Nolan 18:18; and Logan Kijewski 20:08. The squad took 3rd overall.
Scoring a 5th place finish for the Gold Team were freshmen Nick Mulhern 18:02; Charlie Rooney 18:04; and Liam Reilly 18:16; seniors Matt Harsar 18:21; Andrew Ulrich 18:29; Jack Mayer 18:43 and Joe Ripepi 19:48.
NOTE: Freshman, please turn your singlets and shorts, cleaned and washed into Mr Wolf . Upper classmen, turn them into Mr Voigt. Please place them in a bag with your name on the outside.
Thanks again to the junior parents especially Jennifer Saunders for a great Senior Night at school. As always, Eileen Maier provided a fabulous senior booklet and photos of the seniors and the team throughout the season!
The district meet is at Canavan Elementary School in Medina at 2:15 on Saturday. Hope to see all the Wildcats there to support the Varsity on their way to the state championship!
We have 10 extra team windbreakers (all Large). If anyone would like to purchase one, the cost is $60. Please contact Mr. Voigt at avoigt@ignatius.edu.
Go Cats!
Doc