On Saturday, December 6^th twenty-five very dedicated LCA cross-country athletes attended the Youth Cross Country National Championship in West Chester Ohio. Not only did these incredible kids extend their practice season by 6 weeks, they also displayed great determination and personal sacrifice enduring a day of bitter cold temperatures and a very slippery course while facing some of the fastest runners in the country.

All of our runners gave it everything they had and each turned in a great performance!

Medals were awarded to the top 25 finishers in each individual age group.

LCA runners representing Greater Cleveland Cross Country at West Chester are listed below, followed by their age group finishing place and their time. 

2k runners (8 & under)

Claudia Becker             13^th       10:49

3k runners (9 & 10 year olds)

Shawn Gaspar               6^th        13:12

Steven O’Sullivan          16^th       13:19

Joe Rotolo                     19^th       13:33

Patrick McGuire            21^st       13:43

Chris Larsen                 15^th       14:15

Douglas Petrick             19^th       14:54

Liam McGuire               22^nd      15:15   

Nicholas Snider             26^th       15:47

Jack Romer                  37^th       15:23

Maggie Wagner                        11^th       13:24

Alana Vovk                  11^th       14:35

Bina Frost                     26^th       14:47

Katie Butterfield            39^th       16:55

 

3k runners (11 & 12 year olds)

Luke Wagner                6^th        12:29

Tim Trentel                   8^th        12:36

Jack Larsen                  11^th       13:09

Owen Knapp                22^nd      14:24

J.T. Rinehart                 39^th       14:49

Alesha Vovk                 23^rd       13:08

Avery Pacella               35^th       13:59

Nadia Vovk                  28^th       14:32

 4k runners (13 & 14 year olds)

Eliot Pacella                  43^rd       17:50

John Wagner                 44^th       17:51

Mary Kay Klenkar        46^th       21:15

In addition the Bantam boys’ team which included Shawn Gaspar, Stephen O’Sullivan, Joe Rotolo, Patrick McGuire and Chris Larsen finished 3^rd in their race bringing home the bronze medal for the Cleveland area!

Congratulations to all runners – you have reason to be proud!!!