On a cold and rainy day April 12, the Cape Henlopen boys’ track team made the decision to split into two squads and attend two different relay meets.
“With over 80 athletes on the roster and meet restrictions limiting how many can compete, sometimes splitting up is the only way to get everyone valuable competition experience,” said coach Ellis Gaulden. “Fortunately, teams are allowed to do this once per season. All in all, it was a proud weekend for the Cape boys – competing hard, embracing the conditions and showing the depth of their team across two different meets.”
The Vikings took one group to the Father Judge Relays in Pennsylvania, while the other headed to the West Deptford Relays in New Jersey.
Despite the dreary weather, the West Deptford group brought home a team victory – an impressive feat at a meet that was anything but typical. There were no open events, only relays. A few Cape athletes even had the chance to compete in the 400-meter hurdles for the first time, a switch from Delaware’s standard 300-meter hurdle event. Highlighting the Vikings, Will DiPaolo was named Outstanding Field Event Performer of the meet after jumping 12-feet in the vault.
Meanwhile, at Father Judge, Cape athletes put together several strong performances and personal bests across the board. A healthy Riley Stazzone ran an impressive 4:37 in the 1,600, while Nick Petito followed with a strong time of 4:45. Cardin Benjamin went 2:01.16 in the 800 meters, while teammate Andrew Radka ran 2:01.48.
Jason Baker claimed first in the 3,200 with a tough time of 9:26, while Brayden Redd placed fourth in a time of 10:12. Jayden Johnson also ran a personal best in the 100-meter dash.
CoDel Festival
Tyler Daley, 23, of West Chester, Pa., captured the Coastal Delaware Running Festival marathon title in 2:42:19.7. Second went to 22-year-old Luke Payne of La Grange, Ky., in 2:44:52.4. Masters runner Matthew Barresi, 42, of Palmyra, Va., rounded out the top three in 2:45:04.8.
The top local in the marathon was Nathan Waydelis, 19, of Lincoln, who ran 3:28:30.5.
On the female side, it was Allyson Casey, 46, of Tewksbury, Mass., with the win in 3:01:18.8. Justyna Wilson, 49, of Fairless Hills, Pa., took second in 3:09:04.9, while Lauren Jean Fish, 35, of Townsend was third in 3:09:34.2. Stephanie Lewis of Milton was the top local in 3:36:50.
Dalton Gills Jr., 15, of Wilmington won the half-marathon in 1:23:33.2, while Ryan Sullivan, 24, of Williamsport, Pa., took second in 1:25:29.0. Sean Doyle, 30, of Hoboken, N.J., was third in 1:25:52.7. Martin Rodriguez, 43, of Selbyville and Team Seashore Striders, won the masters title in 1:27:28.4.
On the female side, it was Delaware’s Erin Fitzgerald, 44, of Middletown with the win in 1:24:22.0. Aubrey Stevens, 37, of Wilmington was second in 1:27:39.9. Olga Bogdanova, 37, of Middletown was third in 1:31:47.3. Kristin Herring, 46, of Newport News, Va., won the masters race in 1:33:45.3.
Noah Gunville, 16, of Arlington, Va., won the 8K male overall title in 32:39, while Codi Januszkiewicz, 33, of Bethlehem, Pa., won the female overall title in 35:31.1.
Dickson Mercer, 43, of Takoma Park, Md., won the 5K male overall title in 16:32.0, while Katie McQuinn, 32, of Washington, D.C., won the female title in 21:41.2.
A total of 776 finished the marathon, 1,452 finished the half, 731 finished the 8K and 946 finished the 5K. Congratulations to all finishers.
Finish Chute - Local Andrew Minni of Lewes/New York City set a personal best in the marathon last weekend, racing Jersey City in 2:57:11. Andrew has never competed in cross country or track & field and gave up kickflips for running shoes after graduating from Cape Henlopen High School … The Seashore Striders will be at the 13th Bunny Palooza 5K & 1-Mile Walk this Saturday morning in Bethany Beach with 750 expected … Masters specialist Jamie Hicks of Milford is having a great 2025 so far, as she has won the overall or masters titles in nearly every event she has entered this year … The 16th Seashore Classic Half Marathon, Relay and 5K is set forSaturday, May 3, at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.
