Cape boys’ XC wins two, remains undefeated

The Cape cross country team traveled north to Killens Pond for a tri-meet against Lake Forest and Sussex Central Oct. 11. The Vikings boys’ team added two more wins and improved their record to 7-0 by topping Lake 19-43 and Sussex 24-37. The top 15 finishers were as follows: Albert Norman, SC, 16:45; Greg Boyce, CH, 16:53; Marc Mapp, LF, 17:34; Ben Campaghone, SC, 18:04; Kolbe O'Donnell, CH, 18:11; John Di Stefone, CH, 18:29; Owen Allen, CH, 18:47; Gabe Best, CH, 18:56; Brian Ciabattoni, CH, 18:57; Patrick Wills, LF, 18:58; Tristan Holland, CH, 19:04; James Truitt, SC, 19:11; J.P. Heid, CH, 19:12; Stephen Culver, LF, 19:15; and Zachary Riggi, LF, 19:16.

On the girls’ side, the Vikings edged past Lake Forest 27-28 and Sussex Central 15-45 in the team action to add two wins to their 6-1 record. The top 15 finishers were as follows: Olivia Brozefsky, CH, 20:27; Riley Wood, LF, 21:49; Jessica Tyndall, LF, 22:42; Mikayla Cannon, LF, 22:49; Yesenia Ramirez-Montano, CH, 23:04; Amaya Daisey, CH, 23:17; Caroline Maull, CH, 23:17; Leah Marsh, CH, 23:24; Baily Dean, LF, 23:41; Brianna Riggi, LF, 23:52; Grace Aguilar, LF, 24:13; Haein Kim, SC, 24:17; Elle Wood, LF, 24:18; Haily Moore, LF, 24:37; and Emma Evan, SC, 24:38.

Middle school wrap

The Mariner boys’ and girls’ cross country teams traveled to Seaford Oct. 9 and caged the Blue Jays by scores of 22-35 and 15-49, respectively. The boys moved to 2-0 on the season thanks in no small part to eighth-grader Brian Sponaugle, who sprinted away from a talented Seaford runner over the final half-mile to cover the winding, woody, 1.55-mile Chapel Branch course in 9:23. His time is by far the fastest ever on the course by a Mariner runner. Eighth-grader Elliott Bastian broke the 10-minute barrier to take third place overall in 9:57, while fellow eighth-graders Angelo Ballard-Rose (10:16) and Justin Marsh (10:19) chased him home in third and fourth. Eighth-grader Devlin Stevenson, meanwhile, notched his highest-ever finish by placing ninth in 11:24. Ben Ockels (10th, 11:55) and Chase Lovenguth (11th, 11:56) rounded out the varsity scorers for the Vikings.

On the girls’ side, seventh-grader Katie Kuhlman once again proved to be the class of the field, as she broke the tape nearly a minute ahead of her closest competitor. Eighth-grader Mia Nuebling was a strong second in 11:24, while seventh-grader Brayden Parkes captured third in 12:03. Fast-improving sixth-graders Mac Cryne (12:16) and Olivia Burkentine (12:17) strode across the line in unison to complete a 1-2-3-4-5 sweep for the Vikings, while sixth-grader Lillian Fisher (eighth, 13:22) and sixth-grader Kate Perry (ninth, 13:57) also cracked the varsity lineup with huge personal bests. Congrats to the unbeaten Mariner squads.

Personal bests were recorded by Angelo Ballard-Rose, Justin Marsh, Devlin Stevenson, Ben Ockels, Chase Lovenguth, Ryan Baker, Connor Pencek, Jeremiah Hayes, Brayan Stevenson, Luke Stachow, Mac Cryne, Olivia Burkentine, Lillian Fisher, Kate Perry, Haley Latham and Sara Dawson. Cryne, Burkentine and Perry improved on their previous bests by more than two minutes! Way to go, Vikings!

The Beacon boys topped Sussex Academy 15-50, while the Beacon girls also came out winners 19-47. Elizabeth Lelson ran 13:35 to capture the win for Beacon, with Madison Couchman second in 13:55. Alyssa Swann was fourth in 14:57, Clio Evans was fifth in 15:03 and Maya Thompson rounded out the top five scorers finishing seventh in 16:15.

Luke Burton ran 10:35 for the 3K to win the boys’ race for Beacon.

Herring Point race Oct. 15

The 4th annual Herring Point five and dime will be held this Sunday, Oct. 15, at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park, beginning at 9 a.m. Both courses will head north for a quarter-mile before heading south toward Rehoboth Beach on the Gordons Pond Trail. Registration will be open online through Saturday evening at 6 p.m., and race-day registration will be held from 8 to 8:50 a.m. at Herring Point. Awards will be presented to the overall, masters, and top three finishers in 10-year age groups. Go to www.seashorestriders.com for more information. 

Dewey Goes Pink 5K

A field of 1,315 finished the Dewey Goes Pink 5K last weekend in Dewey Beach, with Kyle Brightbill dipping under the 17-minute barrier with a time of 16:59.2 for the win. Local Kevin Danahy, racing for TriCoach, was second in 17:12 and first in the masters division. Francisco Puac of the Seashore Striders was third in 17:29 to round out the top three male finishers.

Bridget Danner ran 20:43 to capture the female title, while Alise Reynolds was second in 20:51 and Michele Poppiti was third in 21:05. 

Striders host Purple & Gold XC Invite

The Seashore Striders Youth Cross Country team hosted the Purple & Gold Invitational Oct. 7 at the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment in Lewes. Races began at noon with a 1K for the 6 & under runners, 2K for the 7- to 8-year-olds, 3K for the 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds, and a 4K for the 13- and 14-year-olds. Performances were fast and several runners dipped under the qualifying standard for the National Championships next month in Ohio.

Seashore Striders results include:

1K Mighty Mite Girls

1. Lorelai Freese, 4:51; 2. Grace Barthelmess, 5:02; 3. Brielle Ramjattansingh, 5:15; 4. Elise Ramjattansingh, 5:57; 5. Ainsley Fitzgerald, 6:29; 6. Scarlett Stazzone, 9:25

1K Mighty Mite Boys

2. Cody Kuhlman, 5:48; 5. Bennett Curry, 6:26

2K Sub-Bantam Girls

1. Shiloh O’Grady, 8:56; 2. Emmi Swope, 9:36; 3. Mikaela Gordon, 9:36; 4. Laela Swift, 9:49; 5. Isabella Benedict, 10:19; 6. Katie Curry, 10:56; 7. Claudia Stazzone, 11:00; 8. Liza Williams, 15:37

2K Sub-Bantam Boys

2. Christian Friscia, 9:21; 3. Theo Hart, 10:24

3K Bantam Girls

1. Brianna Sordi, 14:57; 4. Sidney Caldwell, 16:09; 5. Ally Diehl, 16:23; 6. June Hale, 19:42

3K Bantam Boys

1. Bennett Brumbley, 12:11; 3. Blake Fitzgerald, 13:18; 4. Riley Stazzone, 13:25; 5. Gage Hall, 13:46; 6. Matthew Friscia, 14:06; 10. Eric Swift, 16:05; 11. Garrett Vansant, 16:38; 13. Ethan Curry, 21:23

3K Midget Girls

2. Katie Kuhlman, 12:26; 3. Faith Mitchell, 12:47; 4. Devin Hundley, 12:55; 6. Rachel Ramjattansingh, 18:59

3K Midget Boys

1. Caughnery Freese, 11:44; 2. Justin Friscia, 12:07; 6. Jacob Hayes, 13:10; 7. Alex Arnold, 13:11; 8. Steven Hart, 13:19

4K Youth Girls

3. Mia Nuebling, 17:50; 4. Emily Trout, 18:17; 7. Brooke Jones, 20:35

4K Youth Boys

1. Luke Burton, 15:14.