ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (May 5, 2023) -- It was a record-setting day Friday at Rocky River Stadium -- for senior Majid Abuaun in the 800-meter run and as a member of a dominant 4x800-meter relay quartet, and it was a triumphant day for Double-R Track & Field as the Pirates won both the girls and combined titles on a sun-splashed, breezy day at Rocky River Stadium. [
results]
River edged Westlake 128-116 in a marvelous tussle on the girls' side. The Pirates won three events and logged 21 top-6 finishes in capturing a Bell crown for the second straight year.
The Pirate boys took third in a hard-fought standings battle. On both sides, Rocky River and Avon Lake were in the mix for medals in just about event and would finish 1-2 in the combined standings (RRHS 250.5, ALHS 241).
Abuaun had a big day for the school hosting the eight-team, late-spring for the 47th time in its history. He was at the vanguard of a gold-silver-bronze River sweep in the 800. Abuaun and second-place Guillaume Carroll both crossed the wire with a time eclipsing a 25-year-old Bell Invitational record (set by C. Smoler, Normandy HS in 1997). Abuaun's first-place time 1:55.48. Luke Dorenkott placed third.
Carroll and Abuan had previously run the bookend legs of Rocky River's 4x800. Combining with Henrey Lange and Grant Preto, the fast four circuited the oval eight times in 7:52.25. That time obliterated the previous meet record (Kenston, 2012). For good measure, Abuan was also in on a first-place 4x400 River relay (Preto, Ethan Hazra, Carroll, Abuaun) that won by a seven-second cushion.
Other highlights on the boys' side included the Pirates taking first (Greg Ganor), third (Ruairi Zuercher), and fourth (Benjamin Buehrle) in the 3200-meter run, third in the 400 (Preto), and third in the pole vault (Alan Ritvo).
The River boys earned 19 top-6 placements overall. Midview (138.5 points) won the boys title. Avon Lake (131) and Rocky River (122.5) took second and third.
The Buccaneer girls won their title on the strength of three golds (Mary Sollars--100-meter hurdles, Ellie Harkins--300-meter hurdles, 4x800 relay), two silvers (Brianna Chaves--3200-meter run, 4x100 relay), and three bronzes (Sollars--800, 4x200 relay, Doris Kale--shot put). River's gold-medal 4x8 was comprised of Katie Stirm, Allie Dewey, Chaves, and Grace Lavelle). Sollars was in on the Pirates' 4x1 and 4x2 relays.
Competing across the 34 events in the meet were athletes from Aurora, Avon Lake, Bay, Elyria, Lakewood, Midview, Rocky River, and Westlake.
River honors a member of each of its teams each year at the meet. Tabbed for 2023 Pirate Awards were senior Greg Ganor and junior Mary Sollars.
Thirty-four gold medals, a girls title and a combined championship for the host programs. And scores of winning moments beyond that. Nothing signals the upcoming, momentous high school track & field postseason like the chimes (and times) of the Bell.
by Skip Snow