ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP —
A pack of seniors led the Madison Blue Streaks to victory Monday afternoon at the War on the Shore at Lake Shore Park kicking off the 2012 cross country season.
Erin Hord led Madison, winning the race with a time of 21:39, and was followed by Katarina Funk in third at 22:16 and Annette Brickman, who was fourth in 22:35. Sydney Ball finished eighth at 23:28 and Sarah Iannini rounded out the top five in ninth place with a time of 23:30 completing a total score of 25.
“Awesome. Very impressive. The girls have put in more miles than Madison has ever put in, I think,” coach Kelly Chandler said.
“People are starting to believe in the program and believe in the training.”
Chandler said Funk ran 400 miles this summer.
“(Funk) is easily the most improved,” Chandler said.
“The front pack are helping each other get better, Chandler said. “They are definitely all pushing each other.”
Karen Barrientos of Lakeside finished second, with a time of 22:00, and led the Dragons to a second-place finish with 75 points edging Mentor’s B Squad by one point.
Barrientos finished in second place last year as well.
“I really thought it (the race) was harder than last year,” she said.
Even though she finished in second place both years, she improved her time by 46 seconds. The rest of the Dragons’ top five were Kristen Berus in sixth place with a time of 22:48; Carlie Watt, tenth place in 23:32; Jennifer Schwentker, 35th in 26:07 and Chelsea Wheeler, 36th in 26:17.
Hord said the team race should point to a good season.
“I think it is a really good accomplishment,” she said. “We’ve worked really hard this summer. We’ve been really looking forward to the season and now it is here.”
Lakeside coach Christine Powers said she was excited about the second place finish.
“I am pleased with the girls. We’ve been working hard all summer,” she said.
Powers said she was happy with Barrientos’ performance and the rest of the team as well.
“Most of the team had a PR over last year,” she said. “I had three in the top ten. That’s great.”
Powers said she hopes to build on the accomplishments as the years go on to build the program.
Geneva finished in fourth place with 110 points and was led by sophomore Emily Deering, who is running cross country for the first time. Hailey VanHoy finished 14th in 24:07, Cami Dodge was 19th in a time of 24:34, Rachel Crites, was 44th in 26:38 and Kayla Nieset was 60th with a time of 29:26.
Savannah Spring led Edgewood (5th place, 121 points) with a seventh-place finish in a time of 22:54 followed by Keegan McTrusty, who was 29th in 25:20. Krista Severe placed 33rd in 25:58, Rebekah Simmons was 34th in 25:59 and Shelbie Sporcich rounded out the Warriors’ top five with a 46th-place finish in a time of 26:38.
The Jefferson Falcons finished in sixth place with 165 points. Colleen O’Connor led the way in 12th place in 23:52, followed by Jessica Becker, 39th in 26:21, Leah Kingston 45th in 26:40, Deanna Comp 51st in 27:15 and Delaney Gianantonio, 55th in 28:00.
Pymatuning Valley did not have a full squad, but Abby Hamilton finished 15th in a time of 24:07l. She was followed by Rebecca Dillion who was 16th in 24:09. Abbey Pike was 21st in 24:44 and Saydi Lappe finished 31st in time of 25:28.
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