Bulldogs girls cross country wins with team effort: High school roundup

Plain Dealer staff reports, September 13, 2009 12:45 a.m.

The Lady Bulldogs followed Kho's instructions to near perfection Saturday and ran away with the big-school championship of the Dover Invitational.

Placing five runners in the top 18, including a sweep of places nine through 12, Olmsted Falls totaled 60 points to top Uniontown Lake, which was second with 69 points.

"We emphasized running as a pack in practice, and the girls ran really well," said Kho. "We ran well at Madison last week [finishing third], so I can't say as I was surprised."

While Kho might not have been surprised, it is safe to say others were. Olmsted Falls did not have an upperclassman finish as one of its top five. In fact, there were three freshmen and two sophomores.

"There were some good teams there, but as the race unfolded I thought we would be in the hunt," said Kho. "Then I saw our first four girls coming toward the finish and bunched together and I knew we were in great shape."

Sophomores Rachel Botoulas (20:53.62) and Caitlin Dahlin (20:55.32) finished ninth and 10th, respectively, followed by freshmen Brittany Carson (11th, 20:58.37), Lindsay Kaschak (12th, 20:59.71) and Jaime Fossen (18th, 21:31.11).

Bruce Lerch Invitational: Brecksville's girls captured five of the top seven places to romp to the team championship, and Woodridge edged Revere in the boys race by having its five runners finish in the top 20 at the Brecksville cross country course.

Revere's Josh Sabo (16:26.81) and Dan Povitsky (16:53.27) finished first and second, respectively, but Woodridge had Kyle Cochran (17:08.67) finish sixth and Vibush Sivakumaran (17:19.08) finish eighth. The Bulldogs, who compiled 65 points to Revere's 70, had Drake Zulzer come in 13th, Jacob Onifer at 18th and Nathan Mercer at 20th.

No one could match the Bees, who won the girls event by 46 points as freshman Allison Stucky was second, senior Rachael Paszko was fourth, junior Tabitha Jacofsky was fifth, senior Hannah Pulliam was sixth and freshman Libby Roether was seventh.

Woodridge junior Maria Moore won the event in 20:03.81, edging Stucky (20:05.21) at the wire.

Walsh Jesuit Tomahawk Run: Gilmour Academy's Bart Merkel was the boys champ in 16:36, and Jaclyn Koza of Tallmadge (20:14) and Deanna Godby of Mayfield (19:04) won individual championships in the girls Maroon and Gold divisions, respectively.

Perry's girls won the team title in the Gold Division as Marissa Baranauskas was third, followed by Abbie Clifford (seventh), Angelica Zampini (20th), Rachael Greuber (23d) and Ashley Adamik (31st). Solon had the best finish of an area team in the boys Gold Division, finishing second to Canton GlenOak, which won with 116 points. Conner Paez led the Comets, finishing second to Boardman's Sam Deskin in 16:08.

FOOTBALL

St. Ignatius 50, Canisius (N.Y.) 8: The top-ranked Wildcats rolled up 348 yards of offense with Anthony Mascia leading the way with 134 yards and a 54-yard touchdown. Quarterback Mark Meyers was 5-for-5 for 97 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

St. Edward 35, Woodson, D.C. 12: Junior Terrell Bates rushed for 156 yards and three TDs on 15 carries as the Eagles broke open a close game by scoring three times in the fourth quarter.

VASJ 14, Shaker Heights 7: Senior Ronnel Spates scored on runs of 66 and 2 yards to lead the Vikings to their second win in three games.

John Marshall 36, Lincoln-West 0: Junior quarterback Tamaine Chappel threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Oscar Graves, returned an intercepted 97 yards for a TD and recovered a fumble as the Lawyers (2-1) opened Senate Athletic League play.

Hawken 48, Gilmour 16: Senior slotback John Wilson scored five touchdowns and rolled up 246 all-purpose yards and senior quarterback Zach McMains completed 4 of 4 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns as the Hawks rolled.

VOLLEYBALL

Rocky River Invitational: Kenston defeated Lakewood, Fairview and Rocky River to win the tournament, and junior setter Megan Wendel was named most valuable player when she posted 50 assists, 13 digs and nine aces off 16 service points.

Maple Heights Invitational: The host Lady Mustangs defeated Wickliffe, Nordonia and Field to win their tournament.

Magnificat Volleyball Showcase: Magnificat was not extended to three games until the final in beating Norwalk, Holy Name and Brecksville to win its event. The Streaks beat Norwalk, 25-21 and 25-19, and followed with a 25-12 and 25-9 win over Holy Name.

Walsh Jesuit Invitational: Beaumont defeated Archbishop Hoban in the final, 25-11 and 25-15, after beating Medina and Strongsville.