The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Cross country heading into the postseason
Westlake cross country runner Erica Francesconi is competing in her brother’s honor, plus recaps of the GLC and PAC meets from this weekend and the top times in the area for the season.
Westlake junior Erica Francesconi, a first-year runner, said she’s been running naively this season.
But anyone who’s watched her would probably think she’s crazy to say that.
Francesconi roared through the Southwestern Conference Championships at Lorain County Community College on Oct. 14 with a 19:34.7, well-ahead of runner-up Claudia Hermann of Avon (20:01.5).
A week prior at the Medina Festival, she reset her own school record by 15 seconds (18:59.81) for a thirdplace finish. That also stands as the fastest time in The Morning Journal coverage area this season.
Prior to this fall, Francesconi was more known for her swimming prowess, qualifying for the districts in the 500 free, 200 IM, 400 free and 200 MR.
Cross country was never supposed to be in the cards for her — but now it is, and for good reason.
Her brother, Sebastian, won the SWC title a year ago. But during the week of the district meet, he got pneumonia and dropped out after two miles in the race because he had shortness of breath — a disappointing end to an otherwise great career. Erica and Sebastian began crying with each other, and it was at that moment Erica decided she wanted to jump into cross country.
“I wanted to do this for him,” she said. “He was in tears, I was in tears. And that motivated me to start running. He had a very rough season his senior year. I’m hoping I can get can at least a top three finish at districts just for him.
“He worked hard and I want to carry that name for him.”
Francesconi credits Demons coach Travis Haselswerdt for her success.
“He’s an amazing coach and amazing guy,” she said. “I take all (the) method to my races just from him. He’s the one that’s been training me the whole entire time. If it wasn’t for him, I think I’d be injured right now and be out of my mind. He has carried me. I sometimes overdo myself and he has to settle me down.”
Francesconi is from California, where she was tops in the nation in swimming. She moved to Ohio in eighth grade and got a back injury due to overtraining for swimming. She needed to wear a back brace for six months and wasn’t allowed to run her freshman and sophomore years even if she wanted to.
Before her freshman season in swimming, she suffered a concussion and missed half the year. Francesconi has had her fair share of hurdles to overcome — but has already established herself as arguably the best runner in the area.
Her teammates — sophomore Teagan Walsh and freshman Emily Jaros — have been right behind her. All year, Francesconi has preached wanting to establish themselves as a dominant team — deflecting her individual shine.
She says the team’s goal is to make it to the regional meet. With the way she has led this group, it’s a strong possibility.
“Erica has run amazing the last couple races,” Haselswerdt said. “She’s been the outlier on our team.”
Conference meet highlights
At the Great Lakes Conference Championships at Cahoon Park, the Rocky River boys team showed once again why it’s a serious Division II state title contender, winning 24-31, over Bay on the Rockets’ own home course. It’s the first conference title for the Pirates since 2002.
They had three runners take the first three spots — Eddie Zuercher (16:19.6), Riley Robinette (16:29.9) and Joseph Nanni (16:40.6).
“I’m very proud of them,” Rocky River coach Steve Stahl said in a text message.
The Rockets took the next four spots thanks to Danny Desmond (16:45.7), Sam Coe (16:52.2), Ivan Slyepkan (16:53.5) and Jude Ault (17:01.8).
On the girls side, Bay won the GLC title (34), edging Rocky River (50). Bay freshman Olivia Bird took the individual title (20:19.8), and Pirates junior Mafe ChavesBernal was a runner-up (20:46.7). Bay ran an average time of 21:15.7.
At the Patriot Athletic Conference Championships, the Fairview boys repeated with 38 points, easily beating runner-up Buckeye (76).
Senior Connor Kilbane placed second (16:43.8) behind champion Russell Schultz of Black River (16:00). Freshman Nolan Krumhasni was sixth (17:11.4) and senior Jack Palisin followed him (17:18.4).
Black River won the girls title (66) on a tie-breaker over Brookside, and Fairview was close behind at third (68). The Cardinals’ highest finisher was senior Madissyn Valdez at sixth (21:06.5) and freshman Alicia Fike was eighth (21:11.4). Lutheran West sophomore Kristin Groppe won the individual conference crown (19:24.6) and earned Most Valuable Runner for 2017 award. Her time is also fourth on the All-Time PAC Championship Meet record list.