Cross country talent showcased at Tidewater Classic

The popular Salisbury Tidewater Classic High School Cross Country Invitational was held this Wednesday just outside Salisbury, Md., with most Henlopen Conference runners racing along with 39 other teams from Delmarva. The course is fast and flat, and some of the best times of the season are usually turned in at Tidewater. Cape’s senior stopper Ryan Baker, enjoying the best season of his career, continued his winning ways, capturing the overall title by a 29-second margin in a time of 15:53. Senior Chase Sims of Indian River ran a nice race for second in 16:22, while Cape junior Joey DeGregory ran well at 16:48 for third. Junior Patrick Craig of Caesar Rodney was fourth in 16:50, while senior Seth Barron finished out the top five in a time of 16:51.

The CR Riders won the team championship with 53 points over Cape in second with 67 points. After the first four runners, the Vikings were ahead 32-35 over the Riders, but the Riders’ No. 5, Griffin Spana, just a freshman, finished 18th in 17:39 to seal the championship. Equally impressive was the Riders’ fourth runner, freshman Evan Easton, who ran 17:14 for 14th place. Kent Island was third, while Frederick High School was fourth. Polytech rounded out the top five teams.

Cape’s Liam O’Donnell was 13th in 17:12, while Max Gillen was 15th in 17:16 and Declan Morrissey was 36thin 18:23. Ian Hayes led Woodbridge in seventh place in 17:03, while Coleman Woodard led Sussex Tech at 10th in 17:06. Nate Waydelis led Milford in 12th in 17:10, while Connor Wilson led Smyrna in 16th in 17:28. Mark Bieker led Dover in 21st in 17:47, while Aiden Garrett led Polytech in 23rd in 17:58. Brett Parker led Sussex Academy in 26th in 18:07, while Chris Ortiz-Vazquez led Sussex Central in 82nd in 19:35.

The girls’ race was a showcase of talent by the Frederick High School team out of Maryland, former school of Beacon Middle assistant track coach Jen Cawthern. Junior Caroline Gregory of Frederick ran a tough race of 18:20 to win by a 19-second margin over junior Brynn Crandell of Indian River. Senior Sarah Van Ornum of Kent Island was third in 18:46, while Juliana Brawner of Frederick was fourth in 19:39. Angelina Mangano of Brandywine rounded out the top five in 19:48. Cape senior Katie Kuhlman led the Vikings in sixth place in 19:54, while freshman Katya Geyer led Sussex Academy in 20:08 for seventh place.

The Frederick girls scored 56 points with five runners in the top 22, while Caesar Rodney was second with 126 points. Sussex Academy was a close third with 127 points, while Milford was fourth with 137 points. The Vikings rounded out the top five with 167 points. Sussex Academy led the Riders after four runners 86-88, but it was the Riders’ fifth runner who made the difference.

Dreuz Lail led the CR Riders in eighth place in 20:11, while Arina Varrato led Sussex Tech in ninth in 20:11. Faith Mitchell led Milford in 11th in 20:20, while Ellie Yerkes led Polytech in 12th place. Heaven Walker led Dover in 13th in 20:35, while Lilly Wood led Lake Forest in 29th in 21:54. Tierra Hill led Smyrna in 40th in 22:24.

Talking Frederick HS

Jen Cawthern (Novak) coached the Frederick team for nine years from 1998 though 2006, and they qualified for the state championships four times. Cawthern won the conference individual championship in 1988 and 1990, won the Frederick County individual championship in 1988 and was also the Maryland State Regional individual champion in 1988. 1988 was a great year for Cawthern, as Frederick also won the county team championship and the Maryland state championship. 1988 was also coach Frank Strakonsky’s second year; he coached from 1987-96, then came back in 2009 and is still coaching today. 

Paradise Grill Stop Drop & Roll 5K

The seventh annual Paradise Grill Stop Drop & Roll 5K will be held Sunday, Oct. 9, beginning at 11 a.m., at Paradise Grill in Long Neck. The event will raise funds for Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, an organization that works hard every day to keep the folks in Long Neck safe. Long Neck is one of the fastest-growing areas of downstate Delaware. Awards will be presented to the overall, masters and top three finishers in 10-year age groups. Go to seashorestriders.com to get registered.