AVON, Ohio -- Rocky River's boys' and girls' track squads competed in the Avon Reynolds Invitational on Friday, and the Pirates came through with impressive performances in a crowded field of talented teams. The River boys carded a fourth-place finish; the girls took third. [
results]
The Pirate boys scored 70.5 points, finishing just out of third and behind Avon (184), Westlake (88), and Bedford (74.5) in a field of 13 teams competing at Joe Firment Stadium. Senior Luke Kishna took first-place in the 3200-meter run and was in on River's 4x800-meter quartet, which also took gold. Senior Chase DeClerck and sophomore Luke Dorenkott were also part of the 4x8 squad. They were both members of a fourth-place 4x400 relay; each earned an individual top-4 as well (DeClerck-second in the 1600, Dorenkott-fourth in the 800). Sophomore Greg Ganor (third-3200) and freshman Grant Preto (fourth-long jump) also logged top-4 finishes for the Pirates.
The Rocky River girls tallied 88 points. Westlake (141.5) and Avon (139.5) dueled for the win out in front of the Pirates. Junior Sam Coleman carded River's lone victory, conquering the field by nearly 13 seconds in the 3200-meter run. Coleman finished with a time of 11:35.93. The talented distance specialist was also in on the Pirates' second-place 4x8 relay. Senior Keira Vesy was on that relay as well on River's 4x4 squad, which placed third. Vesy also placed second in the 400-meter dash.
Also dotting high-point-scoring finishes several times over were Sarah Mazzei (fifth in both the 100 and 200, member of fourth-place 4x2 relay), Taylor Byall (sixth in the 400, member of the 4x2 and 4x4 foursomes), and Makenna Pfaff (third in the 100 hurdles, fourth in the 300 hurdles, fifth in the high jump, sixth in the long jump).
The Avon High School-hosted event included teams from Avon, Bedford, Lorain, Westlake, Strongsville, Benedictine, Shaker Heights, North Royalton, Lakewood, Maple Heights, Magnificat, and Max Hayes.
CANNON FIRE ...
YOUNG CANNONS: Freshman Doris Kale took fifth in the girls shot put with a throw of 30 feet-8 inches. Sophomore teammate Madie Shoaf took fourth in the discus with a measurement of 94 feet-11 inches.
PIRATE TREASURE: The boys' squad registered numerous personal bests in the meet. Among them were Ty Raynewater (110-meter high hurdles), Owen Kleckner (110 HH), Ed Opris (100), Tony Opris (100, 200), Chase DeClerck (1600), Luke Dorenkott (800), Grant Preto (long jump), and Nate Furry (discus).
by Skip Snow