The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Bay sweeps at Vermilion meet
The Bay boys and girls teams captured Division II titles at the Vermilion Invitational on Sept. 29. The boys (33) won easily over Genoa (64), and the girls (39) over Perkins (58). The North Olmsted girls (34) won the Division I title over Midview (37).
Boys
Rockets sophomore Jude Ault clocked in at 16:33.31, three seconds better than Norwalk’s Robert Vazquez (16:36.55).
“I’ve really trained on how to pass people because I’m not really worried too much at the beginning,” said Ault, who moved into first in the last mile. “I was a little off my PR (16:29) in this race, but a win here shows my progress and it’s nice to have this feeling.”
Midview’s Robert Callaway took fifth overall (17:09.82) and third in the Division I section. Callaway is a first-year runner.
“The course was nice and flat leveled,” Callaway said. “I think that’s what helped me because there weren’t too many hills. I think the people around me have helped me this season. I’m surrounded by a bunch of positive people, and they push me to go further and faster. My goal for the season is to reach around a 16:30.”
North Ridgeville was the highest area team in Division I, taking second (72) behind Norwalk (21).
Senior Patrick Bay placed seventh in the D-I section (17:47.42) and 15th overall.
“I was feeling good, and I really wanted that sub-18,” said Bay, who had a PR. “It means a lot. Running is my favorite thing to do, and I just like to run fast times. Coming in second place as a team is definitely big because we finished dead last in our conference preview and we’ve been slowly improving a lot. Our goal is still to get top three in the conference.”
Girls
The Rockets were led by sophomore Olivia Bird (19:58.74) winning the race.
Bird’s time was a PR and she’s feeling healthier after dealing with knee tendinitis over the offseason.
“The course was really fun,” Bird said. “We’re really excited about the team title. Personally, I haven’t done my best this season. My freshman year went better, but this meet was good because I broke 20.”
North Olmsted freshman Kayla Simon won the Division I section with a 20:53.47 and placed fifth overall. Teammates Isabella D’Alessandro was fourth (21:07.75) and Kate Kennedy fifth (21:13.87) in D-I.
“My season is going better than I intended,” Simon said. “My goal is to get under 20:30. But team-wise, I’m very proud of everyone. We’re doing well.”
Coming soon
There will be more from this meet in the coming days. Check back in The Morning Journal both online and in print. Bay sophomore Olivia Bird heads for the finish line to win the girls race of the Vermilion Invitational on Sept. 29.