Seashore Striders qualify 35 for Kentucky Nationals
The local Seashore Striders competed at the regional championships in Philadelphia Nov. 8, and when the dust had settled, 35 athletes earned spots at the National Youth Championships in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 21. The Striders crowned two regional champions, as Luke Burton of Lewes defended his 9-10 title to win the 1.86-mile 3K race in 11:02, and Devin Hundley of Bethany Beach won her first individual title in the 9-10 division in a time of 12:43.
The Striders finished second in the Bantam Boys' Division with the team of Burton, Brexton Carter, Caughnery Freese, Drew Barthelmess, Josh Kenton and McKinnon Danahy. The Philadelphia CYO A Team won the team title.
In the Bantam Girls' Division, Hundley and teammate Katie “K” Kuhlman shot to the front early and ran stride for stride out front of 60 red CYO shirts for the 3K course. At the finish, Hundley pulled ahead for the win, while Kuhlman took an impressive second for a tough 1-2 combo.
The Striders were third in the division. Following Hundley and Kuhlman across the line were Lainey Shockro, Morgan Green and Julie Daniello.
Evan Sydnor led the Midget Boys, while Natalie Guida led the Midget Girls.
Allaire Burton led the Primary Girls, while Ryan Moody led the boys.
The youth division ran what may be the hardest 4K course in the country with five major hills and the famous Parachute and Suicide that runners tackle between the first and second miles of the course. Olivia Brosefski led the girls, while Blake Hundley was the lone finisher for the boys.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the majority of the team will board a custom coach bus and travel to Kentucky. The Striders will learn, walk and practice on the course Friday morning, with racing set to begin by 8:30 a.m., Saturday morning.
Send-off - The Striders will be boarding the bus Thursday at 6:30 a.m. from Lowe's if any former team members want to stop by before school or work to wish the young runners luck in Kentucky.
Indoor track
Twenty years ago, in 1995, I finished my fifth year coaching indoor track at Cape Henlopen and have not coached indoor since then. This Friday will mark my first day back as I will take over the Cape girls' program, assisted by Gilbert Maull and Jaimie Loucks. Loucks was a former 300-meter conference champion and Cape school record holder back in the early '90s of Cape track & field. Liz Guida and Jessica Witherspoon will be girls' volunteer coaches. Matt Lindell will coach the boys, assisted by Ellis Gaulden and Rob Perciful.
We have a lot of knowledge in the coaching staff. Now, we just need a mild winter so we can train outside till February!
State cross country
The Delaware State Championships will be held this Saturday afternoon at Killens Pond with hundreds of athletes racing off the starting line with time goals, place goals and goals within themselves.
Once you're in shape, cross country becomes a mental battle from within. Look for Sallies and Charter to battle up front in D1 and Tatnall to run away with D2 on the boys’ side. The course records should fall for boys and girls.
Pumpkin Pie 5K
Don’t wait too long to sign up for the annual Pumpkin Pie 5K in Rehoboth Beach to be held Saturday, Nov. 28 at Grove Park, beginning at 9 a.m. Last year, we hit the 600 mark for an event record. Go to www.seashorestriders.com to register online today.
On Nov. 29, the annual Turkey Trot 5K will be held in Bethany. This year, the race headquarters will be the Bethany Sea Colony Tennis Center.
