Parents and runners,
Running for Saint Ignatius, to paraphrase the great writer Mark Angell, "is like joining a enormous family with ancestors and forbears and famous stories and histories." The Gilmour Meet had a few of those stories. Read on!
Rarely do the forces of nature line up so perfectly for a meet. A brief rainstorm passed over the course before the race, giving the grass an iridescent glow in the late afternoon sun. The temperature was a runner-friendly, 60 degrees with a soft breeze blowing from the west. Erin and Ken Galla, parents of Tim '12 , to whom we dedicated this season, graciously joined us for the Friday afternoon races.
With the Varsity 7 resting this week, it was up to the B squad to carry the team in the first race. Fourteen anxious teams lined up for the 4:30 start. Off they went around the football stadium to the upper school campus. The boys exited the woods with Charlie Rooney leading the 'Cats at the one mile mark. The course loops around through the starting line allowing the fans multiple chances to cheer the runners
I'm not sure what happened to sophomore Jack Mayer. Maybe it was the competition. Maybe it was the chants of his mom, Marissa, "GOOOOOO JAAAACKK!!" Whatever it was, with 500m to go, Jack began picking off runners one by one and finished 11th overall in 17:20!
Nick Mulhern 17:26, Elliott Rodstrom 17:48 PR!, Charlie Rooney 17:49, Owen Lammermeier 17:56 PR!, Joe Ripepi 17:58 PR letter winner!! (great Kick!), Connor Geary 18:00, Liam Reilly 18:03 PR, and Andrew Eicher 18:09 scored for the 'Cats. The team took third behind Solon and Avon Lake.
Before the JV race, we invited the parents, the Gallas and all the fans to join the pre-race team prayer. You could feel the energy building as Fr. Paul led us in "The Prayer of Generosity" with intentions to Our Lady Queen of Victory, Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration and Saint Ignatius.
The team finished with a resounding " 1, 2, 3 Cats" cheer, (which could be heard to County Line Rd) and the boys were ready to race, as 360 runners toed the line for start.
With the afternoon shadows growing, the runners were pumped. The race was chaotic with the lead changing every 400 meters as the boys jockeyed for position. The Solon runners appeared to have control of the race at the 2-mile mark. With freshman Peter Fitzpatrick (2nd overall) leading the ' 'Cats onto the track, the boys found another gear and powered through the finish with some impressive kicks! They edged out Solon for the team title 34 to 39. Here is the tale of the tape: Peter Fitzpatrick 17:31 PR!; Andrew Ulrich 17:50 PR!, Letter winner!; Will Deucher 17:57 PR Letter winner!; Conner McAndrew 17:58; Tom Rochester 17:59 PR letter winner!; Aidan Morrison 17:59 PR letter winner and a PR in the final 100m! and Ben Crane 18:06 PR.
The following also had PRs: Holden Fisher, Andrew Chesney, Aidan Monroe, Joe Maloney, Luke Chesney, Cerri Yormick, Sean Ward, Matt Karim, Jack Kander, Drew Allen, Mike Mayer, August Slawienski, Tom Kilbane, Pat Medvin, Jack McCarthy, Dan Devenney, Sean O'Donnell, Sean Boland, John Soeder, Jack Jusko, Ryan Marshall, Jim Matousek, Andrew Nosse, Aidan Smith, Shane Miczak, Brendan Gilbride, Colin Frank, Charlie Koncelik, Jack McCafferty and Andrew Musca. Congrats to all! Great effort!
Some footage from Robby Klanac
https://photos.app.goo.gl/b2lJvI5XeeG0NGZh2
Here is this week's schedule:
Mon. Edgewater, 3:30 - 5:15
Tues. Mastic 3:30 - 5:15
Wed. Edgewater 3:30 - 5:15
Thurs. SIHS. Early Dismissal, 2:15-3:30, due to Open House
Fri. No school, easy 2 to 3 mile on your own
Sat. Legends Invite at Trumble County Fairgrounds, Varsity 12:30 and JV/Open 1:30. The bus leaves school at 10:15 am.
** We will be running 3 x 9 man teams (A,B,C) in the Varsity race. Rosters will be announced on Monday.