Ce’yra Middleton wins shot put state championship

The Vikings of Cape Henlopen traveled west to compete at the Delaware State Championships held Feb. 3, in Landover, Md., at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex. The Cape boys competed in six individual events and all three relays. The girls competed in four individual events and two sprint relays. 

The boys’ team was 14th overall in the field of 25 teams, while the girls finished ninth overall.

Highlighting the girls’ team was junior thrower Ce’yra Middleton. Middleton captured the shot put state championship with her personal-best throw of 38-feet-5-inches. Junior teammate Mackenzie Parker took a surprising fourth in the same event with her second-best throw of the season of 33-feet-7-inches.

The Cape 800-meter relay team finished eighth overall in 1:53.05, well off their season best of 1:51, while the 1,600-meter relay team was 20th in 4:50.70. Sophomore Timesha Cannon was 14th in the 55-meter dash in 7.73 seconds. Freshman Amaya Daisey was sixth in the long jump final with a distance of 15-feet-9½-inches and had the honor of being the only ninth-grader who qualified for the final.

Kenny Witherspoon had the highest place on the boys’ team, taking fourth overall with a jump of 5-feet-10-inches in the high jump, while Giovanni Bendfeldt was eighth in the pole vault with a clearance of 10-feet even.

The Cape boys turned in their season best in the 1,600-meter relay with a time of 3:48.24 for 16th place, and also a season best in the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 8:46.17 for fifth overall. Heading into the meet, the 3,200-meter relay team was ranked eighth.

Greg Boyce was 14th in the 1,600 meters in 4:42.37, while the 800-meter relay team finished 16th in a time of 1:41.99. Pole vaulter Ryan Head was ranked sixth in the vault at 10-feet-6-inches, but he did not compete in the meet. Freshman Isaiah Fillyau finished 11th in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 8.65.

Run to the Plunge 5K

A field of 394 runners and several hundred walkers crossed the line at the 13th annual 5K Run to the Plunge last weekend in Rehoboth Beach. Proceeds benefitted Special Olympics Delaware. The overall winner was 42-year-old Zach Chupa of Hockessin. He averaged 5:30 a mile and crossed the line in 17:03. Local Albert Norman of Sussex Central High School in Georgetown was 10 seconds back at 17:13 for second. On the female side of the action, Marina Martino of Dallas, Pa., won the female title in 17:27.  

Some local highlights:

Bennett Brumbley of Laurel easily won the 10-14 age group in 21:28, while Seashore Striders teammate Faith Mitchell of Milford took a break from her deer hunting passion to win the girls’ 10-14 group in 23:15. Tyler Blades of Frankford was second in the 15-19 age group in 20:21, while Michele Bailey of Millsboro was second in the 40-44 age group in 24:58. Kenneth Kessler of Seaford won the 45-49 age group in 20:59, followed by Antonio Bowe of Milford in second in 22:14. Michael Murphy of Lewes was third in the 50-54 age group in 24:35, while Jackie Quigley of Georgetown won the 50-54 female age group in 23:24. In the 60-64 age group, Robert Fitzgerald of Millsboro won in a time of 22:41 and Alan Quillen of Seaford was third in 25:55. Sue Nayda of Lewes was third in the female 60-64 group with a time of 32:32. Tim Abbott of Georgetown won the 70 & over group in a time of 26:01. Jamie Wollard was second in the 70 & over female group in 51:29, followed by Gwen Guerke of Milford at third in 57:40.

Valentine’s Day 5K

The 13th annual Valentine’s Day 5K Run will be held at Cape Henlopen State Park, beginning from the fishing pier at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 11. Register by going to seashorestriders.com. Preregistration is available through Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. Cost is $22. Race-day registration is open from 8:30 to 9:50 a.m. Cost is $25. Custom-made awards, tech Ts for all registered runners. The course will feature an out-and-back 3.1-mile course to the Great Dune overlook and back. Most of the race is on the multi-use bike path. Lace up your running shoes, get your sweetheart and shake off the winter blues with the 13th Valentine’s Day 5K. See you on the starting line!