HEBRON, Ohio (Aug. 20) -- Rocky River competed in Saturday's OHSAA Early Season Invitational at Fortress Obetz. [
results]
In the Division I boys race, the Pirates placed eighth with 302 points. All five of River's scorers earned top-100 finishes in a field of 381 athletes. The Double-R's eighth-place finish came in a field of 41 teams. The Pirates were paced by seniors Luke Dorenkott (18th, 16:38.3) and Greg Ganor (22nd, 16:46.1).
In the DI girls competition, the Buccaneers tallied 522 points to take 18th. The River girls logged three top-100 finishes in a field of 380 runners. Forty-three teams competed on the girls side. Junior Brianna Chaves was Rocky River's top finisher; she placed 20th with a time of 19:48.33.
The meet in Hebron was a sneak peek at the course that will be used for the Buckeye State title meet on Nov. 5. Springboro (141 points) took the boys DI title Saturday; Mason (93) edged Hilliard Davidson (99) on the girls side.
CANNON FIRE ...
HIGH FIVES: The Pirates five scorers on the boys side were Dorenkott, Ganor, junior Ruairi Zuercher (69th), junior Ben Buehrle (96th), and senior Guillaume Caroll (97th). The average time for the Pirate boys was 17:22.24. ... The fast-5 for the River girls were Chaves, sophomore Katie Stirm (69th), freshman Grace Lavelle (76th), sophomore Allie Dewey (151st), and sophomore Rosie Murray (206th). The average time for the Maroon & White was 21:42.22.
DOUBLE-R RANKED & READY: Both Pirate squads earned rankings in the
Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches DI Preseason Polls. The Rocky River boys were tabbed 16th; the River girls were voted 12th.
OPEN SEASON: Vincent Valente (13th) and Jackson Rood (16th) earned top-20 finishes in the boys DI-II open race. Jane Rathbun placed third in the girls DI-II open event.
ON DECK: Rocky River is scheduled to compete in the Great Lakes Conference Preview next Saturday at Buckeye High School. The Pirate boys and girls took first and second, respectively, at the 2021 preview meet (Aug. 28). Both teams won league titles last fall when they both earned gold in the Oct. 16 GLC Championships.
by Skip Snow
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