ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HIGH SCHOOL
Pictured with their district runner-up trophy, the Hoban Knights are headed to the OHSAA championship meet after a fourth-place showing at the Division II Regional at Boardman.
BOARDMAN – It was all treats and no tricks for Summit County cross country teams this year at the Youngstown regional. All four representatives coming out of the Division II Regional are from Summit County.
For complete results through baumspage, click here: http://neohstrack.com/2009%20Regional%20CC/Results/D2%20Boys%20Boardman.htm
Leading the way is regional team champ Woodridge behind a strong effort that saw three Bulldogs crack the top six competitors.
“I’m really excited for both teams,” coach Jeff Howard said. “We are on a nice little run.”
The nice run Howard is referring to is Woddridge’s fifth straight regional title, which is saying something in the Youngstown Regional.
“This definitely is the most challenging regional in the state,” Howard said. “Whoever gets out of here usually does well at state.”
Leading Woodridge was junior Jimmy Charles who placed third individually with a time of 17:55.31. Finishing less than ten seconds behind Charles were sophomores Vibushan Sivakumaran and Kyle Cochrun who finished fifth and sixth, respectively, with times of 18:02.
Charles said this race should help him and his teammates going forward to the OHSAA Division II championship meet.
“It definitely gives us more confidence,” Charles said. “It was a good race for everybody and hopefully it’s another good race next weekend.”
Charles hopes he and his teammates get the chance to win another title next Saturday.
If the Youngstown Regional is as tough as Howard says it is it should not only reflect well on Woodridge, but for three other teams as well.
St. Vincent-St. Mary, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and Archbishop Hoban rounded out the second through fourth spots, earning them all a trip down to Scioto Downs for next weekend’s OHSAA event.
Hoban was led by senior Jason Green who turned in a time of 18:05.17, good enough for ninth place. Finishing right behind Green was Irish junior Jacob Swords in 18:09.89.
The Royals used a team effort that saw four runners finish the race with times between 18:30 and 19:00.
Also of note, Tallmadge senior Travis LeVan finished the race in 18:05.08. The time was good enough for an eighth place finish and punched him a ticket to run in Columbus next weekend.