With junior Samantha Coleman leading the attack, the Pirate girls notched a fine team score of 91 in the event held on the chilled, muddy grounds at Lorain County Community College. That score -- one buoyed by three top-10 performances -- beat 11 other teams in a field of 13. Coleman -- a two-time state qualifier -- bolted over the course with a time of 20:23, finish only behind Strongsville's Julia Isham (19:51.1) in a field of 93 athletes.
The balance of River's scoring five were Brianna Chaves (fifth), Carolyn Wanosik (10th), Alison Ritvo (24th), and Saraa Abuzarieh (50th). For good measure the deep Pirate effort was backed by Marcella Pfaff (51st) and Ella Rochester (53rd).
Medina won the girls race with a team score of 68 points.
St. Edward (62 points) edged Walsh (67) on the boys' side. Rocky River clocked its third-place finish with 74 points. It was a pair of Lukes leading the the Running Raiders in the October advance. Luke Dorenkott placed seventh with a time of 17:40.7; Luke Kishna placed 11th, crossing the wire in 17:45.5. Greg Ganor was a shoulder behind Kishna, at 17:45.6 (12th). Seth Williams (19th) and Sam Buehrle (25th) rounded out the Pirates' scoring five.
Ohio's four regional races will be held next Saturday. The Pirates will be well represented ...
... in number, certainly. But also in speed, endurance, and tenacity.
by Skip Snow
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