The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Pirates, Zuercher snag Division II gold
BOARDMAN » No. 1 stateranked Rocky River captured the Division II Youngstown regional title on Oct. 28 at Boardman High School — beating runner-up Woodridge, 67-93, and ran an average time of 16:37.55.
The top six Division II teams and 24 individuals moved on to the state meet at National Trails Raceway in Hebron, OH, on Nov. 4.
Bay was the only other local team to qualify for the state finals — finishing fourth (125).
Senior Eddie Zuercher led the way clocking in at 15:59.79 to win his first individual regional title of his career, topping Woodridge’s Noah Perrin (16:07.87). Zuercher has been on a torrid pace throughout the season, and despite cold, sloppy conditions, continued his dominance on a slow course.
“I felt really good and I didn’t feel tired after the second mile,” Zuercher said. “I went out at about 5:05 or 5:06, I’m happy with that.
“It means a lot to win my first regional title. It’s definitely a huge confidence boost heading into next week.”
Pirates senior Riley Robinette placed sixth (16:23.21), and senior Joseph Nanni paced to a 20th place finish (16:42.96).
The Rockets’ Sam Coe came in 18th with a 16:42.29.
Zuercher has won three big meets in a row — conference, district and regional. Now he turns his focus to the state finals for the icing on the cake — which also marks the final race of his strong high school career.
“It’s sad in a way, but I’ll just give it my all,” Zuercher added.
Fairview senior Connor Kilbane concluded a great career placing 40th (17:09.13), and the Warriors finished 10th overall (283).
In D-I boys, the top seven
teams and 28 runners advanced to state. Amherst junior Josh Hill put forth his best performance of the season with a personal record 15:49.49, finishing second behind University School’s Justin Iller (15:48.96). Hill finished strong, surpassing three runners in the last 200 meters.
Hill, noticeably disappointed with how he ran a week ago at districts, puts himself back in prime position for a strong state finals performance next week.
“I knew it was going to come down to the last 200,” Hill said. “States is the only thing that matters. I’m there and now I can compete at state. I feel like I executed today perfectly. I had myself in range with the top pack, and then I sprinted for a second place finish. At the state meet, my goal is a top five finish and hope to get a 15:15. It’s a way faster course than this.”
In D-III, no one qualified for states, but Columbia sophomore Matt Pettegrew placed 18th (17:10.75). The top 16 runners was the cut off to advance, but Pettegrew was satisfied.
“They pulled away from me at the end,” he said. “I was trying to keep up with the pace I wanted. I have to
do a better job in the future of not making it come down to the kick. I put a good effort out.”
Girls
In Division III, Lutheran West sophomore Kristin Groppe clinched her first state berth placing sixth overall (19:33.44). The top three teams and 12 runners advanced.
Groppe attacked early for a fourth place spot, and at the 1.5 mile mark, was in sixth and maintained her position.
“I tried to stay up in the top seven, that’s what was my goal to do,” Groppe said. “I had to make sure that no one was too close to me because I like to keep a distance. If I keep a distance, then I know I will race well.”
Groppe was sick on the day of the regional meet a year ago and didn’t perform well — so to come back this time around and perform the way she did meant a lot to her.
“Last year, I didn’t have the best race because of it,” she added. “I’m satisfied now. It was my goal at the beginning of the season to reach the state finals and I hope we can make it as a team in the future.”
No area team or runners qualified in D-I or D-II, but Avon junior Jules Frombach
placed 30th (19:38.20) in the D-I race, and teammate Claudia Hermann was 35th (19:46.69).
Frombach was pleased with her performance.
“That was the fastest I’ve felt this season,” Frombach said. “It was the first time I’ve ran here where the weather was cold. I started off sprinting and I was so surprised at how many people were already in front of me. Towards the mile marker, Claudia caught up to me. Our coaches kept telling us that we’re cold weather runners and we could do it. We felt prepared today.”
Westlake junior Erica Francesconi, who has been the No. 1 runner in the coverage area this season, tripped up early in the race and dropped out. Frombach had a glance at what happened to shed some perspective — and she admires Francesconi as a runner.
“It was right in front of me and I saw a girl go down ... and I was like ‘Oh my god,’” Frombach added. “We were bumping elbows with the runners around us and it was really crowded, so I wonder if she caught someone’s foot running up the hill. It’s awful to hear what happened to her, especially because it’s the regionals.”