Canfield runners compete in two top invitational races

The Canfield cross country teams opened the 2011 season on Aug. 27 by participating in two different invitational meets. The high school varsity runners travelled to Canton to compete in the GlenOak Invitational. The high school junior varsity and the middle school teams travelled to McDonald to compete in the Billy Goat Challenge. The Canfield runners were competing against some of the top teams in Ohio at both venues including Louisville, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Solon and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.

The Canfield boys’ team finished 12th out of 27 teams. A total of 220 runners started the boys’ race. Running and placing for Canfield were: Jon Huntyan – 11th, Rollin Bresson – 54th, Nick Tocicki – 72nd, Tyler Kennedy – 89th, Andy Russo – 124th, Rajan Solanki – 134th, Bryan Kristan – 143rd and Mike Solomon – 154th.

The girls’ field included 2010 state finalist in Division I Louisville and Division II champion St Vincent St Mary. Both teams are in the 2011 preseason rankings. The field also included 2010 regional qualifiers Solon and Green. The Canfield girls’ team finished eighth out of 19 teams. A total of 153 runners started the race. Running and placing for Canfield were: Emma Lunne – 18th, Bailey Fisher – 19th, Jen Love – 40th, Sydney Miller – 48th, Marla Marucci – 69th and Lyndsay Tapia – 93rd. The top four teams in order were St Vincnet St Mary, Solon, Green and Louisville.

The field at McDonald was also very strong as the Canfield junior varsity teams competed in the varsity dominated Billy Goat Challenge. The boy’s field included five time Division II state champion Woodridge and 2010 Division III runner-up McDonald. The Canfield boys finished 12th out of 13 teams. A total of 216 runners started the race. Placing for Canfield were Alex Nischwitz – 58th, Kyle Anderson – 67th, Alec Kennedy – 69th, Richie Abel – 71st, Stephen Gant – 72nd, Tim Fernstrom – 75th and Dominic Haniford – 80th. The top four teams in order were Woodridge, McDonald, CVCA and Crestwood. The girls field included 2010 Division II state finalist Woodridge as well as Crestwood and McDonald. The Canfield girls finished 12th out of 13 teams. A total of 181 runners started the race. Placing for Canfield were Hannah Nischwitz – 55th, Kathryn Zetts – 61st, Anna Luongo – 65th, Kaitlyn Dastoli – 70th, Brooke Lemmo – 73rd, Emily Burton – 74th and Angelina Sorice – 75th. The top four teams in order were CVCA, Poland, Crestwood and McDonald.

The middle school runners also competed at the Billy Goat Challenge. The boy’s team finished fifth out of 10 teams. A total of 105 runners started the race. Placing for Canfield were Chase Kearn - 1st, Tommy Donadee – 18th, Daniel Sylak – 22nd, Slava Lefoer – 28th, Victor Stefanides – 30th, Ryan Motolenich – 37th and Tyler Napolitano – 39th. The top four teams in order were Austintown, McDonald, Woodridge and Crestwood. The girls’ team finished first out of 10 teams. A total of 134 runners started the race. Placing for Canfield were Rachel Rostek – 4th, Jenny McClune – fifth, Victoria Pacheo – 10th, Cecilia Shaer – 13th, Marissa Cashbaugh – 17th, Raquel Markulin – 28th and Katelyn Yohman – 39th. The top four teams in order were Canfield, McDonald, Crestwood and Woodrodge.