Olympia

******PRESS RELEASE******

by Jane Ryan

OUTSTANDING AT OLYMPIA!

The BSS/SAS runners are leaving their mark all over Central Illinois, with the boys bringing home a 2nd place trophy and the girls a third place trophy from this large Olympia Invitational meet.

There were several remarkable accomplishments on the Olympia course! First of all, every single girl runner got a personal best time, and many boys did as well. Why is Olympia such a fast course? Well, it is flat for one thing. We have been running on some serious hills lately and so getting back to flat terrain speeds things up a bit. Also, it is a fun course, trekking through the cornfields is anything but boring.

Breaking a time barrier for the boys was distance mogul SEAN RYAN, with a time of 11:22. This is a personal best and historical best time for our cross country program. Trailmaster JOEY WHITE followed with a grand run and a 12:06, also a personal best. It was none other than wonder runner MICHAEL RALPH next with 12:16 (personal best). Solid racer SEAN ORLANDO performed well with 12:23 (personal best), while consistent contributor ERIC DELVO crossed the line at 12:32 (personal best). Tough runner GRIFFIN LUDWIG experienced some heartbreak during the race, as he collapsed in pain from a foot injury about 200 meters short of the finish line. GRIFFIN is working on healing his injury so he will be back full steam for our sectionals meet in October. Magnificent MASON SWITZER was next with 13:49.

For the varsity race, medals were awarded to SEAN RYAN for 2nd place, JOEY WHITE for 12th place, MICHAEL RALPH for 21st place, and SEAN ORLANDO for 29th place. In the boys open race, JOSH MEGGINSON (13:02, a personal best)) received hardware for 4th place, JOEY SHOWTIS (13:12, personal best) got 7th place, and BRENDAN FINNELL (13:27, personal best) 12th place.

Other boys getting their personal best times were BRENDAN CAVANAGH (15:22), NICK ENNO (14:59), KYLE JOHNSON (16:02), JOE LAFATA (15:04), KIEL PEARCE (14:21), and BRAD VOST (15:49).

Breaking the 13:00 minute barrier and entering the chute first for our ladies was Spectacular Strider JESSICA MEGGINSON, with a 12:43 finish and personal best time! Shortly thereafter came extraordinary EMILY DELVO also below that 13 minute mark with a 12:55. Majestic miler MADDIE ALEXANDER (13:22) was next with a fantastic run. Capable KAYLA KOLIS (13:32) was fun to watch and magnificent MACKENZIE WORTLEY (13:40)was right behind her. Dynamic duo MARIA LOWIS (14:03) and KRISTIN GRIMSLEY (14:23) followed suit with superior performances.

Varsity race girls receiving medals were JESSICA MEGGINSON for 5th place, EMILY DELVO for 7th place, and MADDIE ALEXANDER for 17th place. In the girls open, JENNA HOPKINS took home a medal for 12th place, KAYLEE SABLES for 22nd place, and ALEXANDRIA MAILLET for 30th place. All of these girls ran personal best races!

Other gals turning in personal best performances were BRIGID CAVANAGH (15:49), HELEN CAVANAGH (20:27) LEXI ENNO (18:43), VICTORIA FARRIS (19:40), SIERRA GONZALEZ (19:06), EMILY HIGGENBOTHUM (20:04), KATIE LOSCHER (16:36), CHRISTINE MAILLET (17:34), AMBER MODER (22:59), ERIN SAAL (20:05), and JULIE SAAL (16:33).

Wow. What a fantastic day in Olympia!

Complete results are as follows:

Maddie Alexander 13:22

Brigid Cavanagh 15:49

Helen Cavanagh 20:27

Emily Delvo 12:55

Lexi Enno 18:43

Victoria Farris 19:40

Sierra Gonzalez 19:06

Kristin Grimsley 14:23

Emily Higgenbotham 20:04

Jenna Hopkins 14:28

Kayla Kolis 13:32

Katie Loscher 16:36

Maria Lowis 14:03

Alexandria Maillet 15:35

Christine Maillet 17:34

Jessica Megginson 12:43

Amber Moder 22:59

Erin Saal 20:05

Julie Saal 16:33

Kaylee Sables 15:17

Isaac Bales 19:37

Brendan Cavanagh 15:22

Luke Criscione 19:05

Ben Davis 15:35

Eric Delvo 12:32

Nick Enno 14:59

Brendan Finnell 13:27

Kyle Johnson 16:02

Jared Kink 20:06

Gabe Krukowski 19:45

Joe LaFata 15:04

Griffin Ludwig (Injury)

Josh Megginson 13:02

Sean Orlando 12:23

Kiel Pearce 14:21

Mason Powell 15:09

Michael Ralph 12:16

Anthony Rocco 14:07

Sean Ryan 11:22

Michael Schaddel 17:32

Joey Showtis 13:12

Mason Switzer 13:49

Bradley Vost 15:49

Joey White 12:06