Cape boys, Sussex Academy girls win county XC titles

Sandhill Fields played host to the Sussex County Cross Country Championships held Oct. 23, on its beautiful 3.11-mile cross country course.

The Cape Henlopen boys took five of the top eight places in the meet, led by junior Jason Baker in 15:41.9. Junior teammate Andrew Radka finished second in a good time of 16:32.6, while junior Brayden Redd was third in 16:42.3.

The Vikings tallied 21 points to easily win the meet, while Sussex Academy was second with 49 points. Indian River grabbed the third spot with 88 points. 

Junior Ryan Moody led Sussex Academy in 17:18.5 in fourth place, while junior Jaycen Davis finished fifth in 17:23.2 to lead Sussex Central. Senior Duncan Winger of Sussex Academy was sixth in a time of 17:28.4, while freshman Nicholas Petito of Cape grabbed the seventh spot in 17:40.5. Freshman Ethan Thompson of Cape had a huge personal best, finishing eighth place overall in a time of 18:18.3, while ninth went to Sussex Tech junior Bennett Brumbley in 18:25.2. Rounding out the top 10 was senior Harrison Dabbs of Sussex Academy in 18:25.5.  

On the girls’ side, Sussex Academy claimed the title led by champion junior Katya Geyer with the individual win in 19:52.7. The Seahawks scored 22 points, and just like the Cape boys, they put five in the top 10. Cape’s girls put four in the top 10 to score 36 points for second place. Sussex Central, enjoying its finest season in many years under coach Randy Ramirez, finished third with 83 points.

Cape senior Hailey Hassell was second in 20:43.5, while sophomore Riley Moriarty was third in 20:56.1. Just an eighth-grader, Jordan Blades of Sussex Academy was fourth in 20:56.4, while fifth place went to senior Brianna Sordi in 21:06.5. Freshman Allison Ortiz-Rivera of Cape grabbed sixth in 21:13.2, while freshman Claudia Stazzone was seventh in 21:28.3. Sophomore Ava Brock led Sussex Central in eighth place with a time of 21:34.9, and ninth place went to freshman Taegen Forester in 21:48.9. Rounding out the top 10 was Cape freshman Lindsay Hassell in 21:54.9. 

The future of downstate cross country is bright as four freshmen and an eighth-grader finished in the top 10 overall on the girls’ side. The meet was produced by the Seashore Striders, which will also produce the Henlopen Conference Championships Saturday, Nov. 2, at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.

Middle school action

Beacon, Mariner, Fred Thomas and Laurel came together for a double dual on the Cape 3K course Oct. 21. On the girls’ side, Mariner topped Beacon 27-32, while Fred Thomas won 15-50 over Laurel. Mariner's Bree Terhune again held off that pesky Emily Hilton, the tough little runner from Beacon, with a time of 11:55.9 to Hilton's 11:56.0. Beacon's Addison Farrell was third in 13:09, while Mackenzie Kupa of Beacon was fourth in 13:23. Mariner runner Stella Hastings rounded out the top five in a time of 13:23.

On the boys’ side, it was Mariner over Beacon 19-42, while Fred Thomas downed Laurel 15-60. Fred Thomas runner Jude Peacock pulled away from tough Dylan Harp of Mariner with a winning time of 10:53 to Harp's 11:06. Beacon's Brandt Kuklish was third in 11:18, while Jack Hudson grabbed fourth in 11:30. Fred Thomas runner Ryder Uszenski finished fifth in a time of 11:34.

All three Cape middle schools will take part in the DAAD Invitational Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.

Finish chute

At the Mariner's Bethel Trail Run Oct. 20, it was 45-year-old Mark Walchinsky taking the overall 5K win in 19:13.1, while 13-year-old Lindsey Ford of Salisbury, Md., ran 21:36.6 to win the women’s title. Bill Harvey, 64, of Hurlock, Md., won the male masters race in 23:28.0, while Kathy Kay of Georgetown ran 26:23.1 to win the female masters title. A nice field of 199 showed up for the race, getting the event back on track with one of the finest homemade post-race soup spreads in the state. Two hours later, in the Walk With Me 5K Run Delmarva at beautiful Baywood Greens, it was 27-year-old Ulises Castaneda of Milford taking the overall male title in 19:59.9, while Mike Sewell, 55, of Lewes won the male masters race in 20:16.9. Mardiny Ung, 58, of Elizabethtown, Pa., took the female championship in 22:45.8. Lori Holdsworth, 63, of Lewes won the female masters title in 23:44.3.

There are new record numbers signed up for the Seashore Striders in the 34th Sea Witch Classic 5K and Half Marathon as of Oct. 24. The half marathon has a record 256 registered, while the 5K/1-mile fright walk has a record of 515 people for a grand total of 771 participants over the two races. Participants are encouraged to bike or walk to Grove Park, use the Park & Ride, or park on Rehoboth Avenue and take a short walk to the park.