Strong showing for Cape at upstate invitational

The fifth week of the cross country season was a big one, with most teams taking in a double meet week as they prep for the postseason. Several Henlopen Conference teams traveled north for the Delaware Sports Club High School Open Invitational at Bellevue State Park for the first and only invitational meet that has been held. When the dust from the old horse track settled and the crowds got off the bridge, Cape had one of its best showings in the last 10 years. The Vikings were second to Division II Tatnall and ahead of Division I powerhouse Sallies. The Vikings were led by Ryan Baker’s 16:20 personal best. Ethan Edery is coming back to last year’s form with a season-best time of 16:50, while Julian Callaway ran 17:32. Daniel Adili-Khams ran 17:37 in the fourth position and has become a pleasant surprise for the Vikings as he makes the best of his senior season. Lance Kauffman ran 17:40 to round out a tough top five. Only eight seconds separated Cape’s third through fifth runners.

“It was a nice performance by the guys, and they now know that they can run with anyone in the state,” said coach Matt Lindell. “Sallies is a tough program and they are not going away, but we are looking to continue to improve and looking forward to the opportunity to race well at states.”

Blaise Moyer led Caesar Rodney to a solid performance as well with a time of 16:37, followed by Jake Bole in 17:12. David Geyer led Sussex Tech in 17:59, while Robert Senseny led Indian River in 18:00. In the boys’ race, only seven runners in the top 20 wore a public school uniform.

In the girls’ race, Brynn Crandell of Indian River led the downstate runners with a 19:36 performance, showing she belongs in the top 10 in the state. “She works hard and has a lot of talent,” said coach Rick Hundley. “It’s fun to watch her run.” Cape sophomore Katie Kuhlman was 21st in 20:31, while senior club teammate Emily Trout of Sussex Academy was 29th in 21:02. Mia Nuebling of Cape ran 21:25 for 41st. Only five runners in the top 20 wore a public school uniform.

Cross country wrap

The air is getting cooler and performances are getting faster as we work our way to championship week. The Kent and Sussex County championships will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the Conference Championships are set for Saturday, Nov. 28. Ryan Baker’s 16:20 remained second on the list behind Caesar Rodney runner Blaise Moyer’s 16:17, although Baker prevailed last Saturday by a 17-second margin over Moyer at the Delaware Invite at Bellevue. Sussex Tech’s David Geyer ran 17:12 at Brecknock to jump into the top 10, while Daniel Adili-Khams of Cape ran a season best of 17:26 at Sussex Central. Lance Kauffman ran 17:39 and Jaden McTeer of Central ran 17:42 on the Central course to grab the eighth and ninth positions, respectively, on the Sussex County top 10 list. Joseph Klosiewicz of Sussex Tech rounded out the top 10 with a time of 17:47.

Brynn Crandell of Indian River set the course record at Sandhill with a blazing time of 18:48 over Emily Trout of Sussex Academy, who was second in a season best of 20:04. Josie Ledford ran 19:11 for a season best at Killens and will defend her title next week at the conference meet. Ledford outran Crandell in the head-to-head battle during the year. Katie Kuhlman ran a season best of 21:31, while Sussex Tech’s Kaitlyn Cavallucci grabbed the seventh position on the top 10 list with her time of 20:34 at Brecknock Park. The CR threesome of Madison Crossley (20:38), Angelina Lione (20:47) and Sydney Wissman (21:06) have stepped it up and are in the eighth, ninth and 10th positions on the top 10 with their performances at Brecknock this past week. Maddie Todd of Polytech had a good race of 21:19 and Emilly Laz of Tech ran 21:30 for a season best as well.

Next week should be interesting and exciting in downstate cross country action.

Turkey Trots

The most popular holiday for road racing is Thanksgiving, which is just around the corner next Thursday. Locally, Focus Multisports will host a two-mile show-and-go race called the Bethany-Fenwick Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, with two different starts to keep the numbers under the 250 guideline. The race will take place at the Indian River Inlet, and runners will get the opportunity to cross the picturesque bridge. The entry fee is set at $40 per per person and includes a long-sleeved T-shirt. All proceeds from sponsors, registrations and event shirts will benefit the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company. Runners can choose to start from 8 to 9 a.m. or from 10 to 11 a.m. If interested, go to www.focusmultisports.com for more information.

The Seashore Striders will host its annual Pumpkin Pie 5K Sunday, Nov. 29, at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes starting from the main beach parking lot at 9 a.m. Park entrance fees are in effect to enter the park. Long-sleeved cotton 100 percent pre-shrunk T-shirts are guaranteed to first 200 entries, and custom awards will be presented to the overall, masters and top 3 in 10 age groups. Entry fee is $25 and jumps to $30 after Nov. 22. We will do a rolling start beginning at 9 a.m., with groups of no more than 30 based on pace per mile. The course will begin in the large bathhouse parking lot on the north side of the lot and head to Fort Miles, then to marathon road and the campground. The course will turn around at the sand dune tower. For more information and to get registered, go to www.seashorestriders.com.