 |
DyeStat Cross Country 2000
PA Weekend 9/23
by Don Rich, publisher of DyeStatPA
- for complete coverage of Pennsylvania
Bulldog
Invitational
Rose Tree Park Challenging 3.1 miles Cloudy. Misty. 60's.
Two runners emerged from the back of the front pack to take center stage at yesterday's Bulldog Invitational at Rose Tree Park's picturesque and challenging 3.1 course. And form held true for several of the state's other elite runners on a damp, misty day.
Considered one of the most fan-friendly courses, the layout eliminated the Hurricane Dennis detour, and returned to its original design.
In the boys Large School race, Haverford's Mike Lang ran a controlled pace, being challenged, then out-sprinting O'Hara's Rich Anderson up the final 400 hill to win in 15:57. His previous PR on the course was 16:31.
"My plan was to race comfortably, but then to tack on the last mile, which I hadn't done yet.
Lang said he felt great at the start and took the lead at a half mile. "I was thinking, these guys are going to have to win this if they want it, because I'm taking it." Lang and Anderson, chased closely by O'Hara's Sean Duffy, went back and forth over the final 400 before Lang's surge sealed the win.
O'Hara's 53 team points were enough to beat second place West Chester Henderson, with 77. O'Hara placed five in the top 20 with a spread of 1:02. They are ranked 3rd in the Harrier Northeast US XC Team List.
In the girls Small Schools race, Wissahickon's Paige Miller ran a blistering 18:18 (the fastest time of the day) to lead her team (58) to a win over Great Valley (93). Wissahickon placed four in the top 20. The newest member of PA's elite was the second place finisher in the race, Radnor's Colleen Flanagan. Flanagan looked strong and focused the entire race as she refused to let Miller out of her sight. The result was an 18:43 (the second fastest of the day) on a course where 19:00's win races. Third and fourth in the race were Penncrest's Laura Hixson (19:00) and Kim Baxter (19:11).
In the Boys Small School race, the dual between Great Valley's Eamonn Brazeus and Pottsgrove's Corey Rogers only lasted until the 1.5 point when Rogers was unable to answer Brazeus' surge. Brazeus' time of 15:49 was the fastest of the day. Rogers says he wasn't happy with his race. "The move just wasn't there when I wanted it for some reason. I shouldn't have gotten third." Great Valley easily took the team title with 53 points by placing four in the top 20. Penncrest was second with 104.
In the Girls Large School race, St. Hubert's sisters Jackie and Amy Kelly went one-two with times of 18:47 and 19:00 respectively. Despite their sweep, Archbishop Prendergast took the team title by placing five runners in the first 19. Their team spread was 46 seconds.
Carlisle
Invitational
Carlisle High School Rolling 3.1 miles Cloudy. 60's.
With four in the top 25, Cumberland Valley boys hit the win column in decisive fashion with 84 points, beating Liberty (121) and Cedar Cliff (151).
Wyomissing's Joel Moceri, was the only runner to break 16 minutes with his winning 15:58. Cumberland Valley's Darrell Curtis was second with 16:12. One of the state's top sophomores, Bob Boston, Altoona, was third at 16:28.
Wyommissing placed three in the top six, but had to wait 81 places for their fourth runner. Alyssa Simon, Emmaus,( 19:07), nipped Wyomissing's Deb Huss, (19:11). Chamberburg's Kylee Schuler was third with her 19:16.
Liberty girls, with 169 points, barely got by Cumberland Valley (180). Host Carlisle girls were fourth with 208. Wyomissing, with 190, was third.
Council
Rock Invitational
Tyler State Park 3.1 miles-challenging
Council Rock girls and Central Bucks East boys defended their titles in the Division I races at the Council Rock Invitational held at Tyler State Park. Karl Dusen took the boys race in 17:17. Katie Ewart, Upper Dublin, took the girls race in 20:01.
Hatboro-Horsham took the team title in Division II scoring led by James Golden's fourth place 17:45. Lower Moreland won Division III.
In Division II girls scoring, Gwynedd-Mercy took the title, led by Megan Bishop's third place 21:00.
Slippery
Rock Invitational
Slippery Rock University of PA
3.1 miles-hilly Rain for AAA Boys and Girls.
Cloudy for AA races.
Spectators braved a driving rain storm Saturday to witness the boys and girls "AAA" races which showcased western Pa's top talents. On the boys side, Baldwin's Dan Mazzocco out ran preseason favorite Shawn Cavanaugh of Mt. Lebanon, beating him for the first time.
The girls race looked like a duel between Stephanie Madia and Hempfield's Lauren Bricker. However over the last mile, Peters Township's diminutive, Jessica Perry ran away from both for a 14 second victory.
Weather was great for the opening races. "AA" boys and girls ran in nearly perfect 56 degrees with an overcast sky. The course is hilly and rolling providing a real challenge. Slippery Rock is home to the District 7 meet, although it is located in District 10.<p>
Unionville Invitational
At the Unionville Invitational, West Allegheny's Lauren Shaffer continued to shine as she set a course record of 19:13 on the hilly 3.1 mile layout.
Return to DyeStat Pennsylvania page
