LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Rocky River registered a pair of first-division finishes in Friday's 40th Annual Kiwanis Ranger Relays hosted by Lakewood High School. [
results]
The River boys' team carded 58 points, placing fourth in a field of eight talented squads from around Northeast Ohio. The girls' team registered a third-place finish (of seven) with 83 points.
"I thought our kids competed from start to finish tonight,” said boys' head coach Mark Hogya. "This is a great early-season event with top-notch competition up and down the event list, and its really good experience for our athletes."
Sophomore Luke Dorenkott and senior Luke Kishna were River's top scorers on the boys' side. Both were a part of two winning relays (4x800, 4x1600) and one runner-up finish (distance medley). Greg Ganor, Grant Preto, and Majid Abuaun also logged impactful performances for the Pirates. Ganor took first in the 3200-meter run by posting a personal-best time. Other personal bests were recorded by Adam Maroon (shot, discus), John Leamon (shot), Jason Dubbs (shot), Griffin Sawyer (pole vault), and Owen Kleckner (110-meter high hurdles).
The Rocky River girls notched a victory in the distance medley and runner up finishes in five relays (4x1600, 4x200, 4x100, high jump, discus). Junior Caroline Sidoti was in on three of those second-place efforts. Senior Sarah Mazzei was a member of two runner-up relays.
Berea-Midpark swept its way to wins in the boys' and girls' competitions. The Titans won the boys' side handily. On the girls' side, Berea scored 92 points to edge North Royalton (85) and Rocky River in a tight, three-way race.
Rocky River's season is slated to continue with the teams' first home meet of the 2021 season, a Wednesday get-together with Great Lakes Conference foe Parma.
by Skip Snow