Cape boys place second at Middletown Invitational

The Middletown Cross Country Invitational contested Sept. 21 on the beautiful campus of St. Andrew’s School featured 881 runners over four races going off on the half hour, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The girls’ JV race began the competition followed by boys’ JV. Unlimited entries per team were allowed in the junior varsity races. The varsity races were limited to the traditional seven-member teams.

A highlight of the afternoon was Blake Hundley, a resident of Ocean View who runs for St. Andrew’s, winning the varsity boys’ race on his home course in 16:24. The Saints – sometimes called the Cardinals – won the boys’ team title with 33 points, while Cape placed second with 118 and Archmere was third with 161. Cape’s top seven runners were John DiStefano, 17:30; Kolbe O’Donnell, 17:49; Owen Allen, 18:08; Tristan Holland, 18:19; Daniel Adili-Khams, 18:27;  Brian Sponaugle,18:55; and Lance Kauffman, 19:08. Cape was competing without varsity runners Sam Epstein and Bryan Ciabattoni.

Patrick Spencer of Indian River ran 18:02, while Sussex Tech runners Kurt Rushing (18:06) and Caleb Bradley (18:18) ran well, and Nate Sneller ran 18:55 for Sussex Academy.

Ursuline Academy, coached by former University of Delaware coach Jim Fisher, won the varsity girls’ race with 34 points. The Cape girls were sixth with 169 points. Cape ran without top runner Olivia Brozefsky, who was on family vacation.

Cape’s top runners were Liz Melson, 21:43; Mia Nuebling, 21:58; Taylor Johnson, 22:15; Aya Daisey, 22:16; Caroline Maull, 22:18; Lindsay Rambo, 22:19; and Amaya Daisey, 24:02.

Sussex Tech’s top runner was Hannah Murphy (21:56), while Helena Helou ran 21:29 for Sussex Academy.

Cape will run a quad meet at Polytech Wednesday, Sept. 26, versus Poly, Milford and Sussex Tech.