While the golf set and the parks and rec crowd certainly are enjoying the recent stretch of weather, cross country runners? Not so much. The 50th running of the Strongsville Cross Country Invitational was held Sept. 21 on a beautiful, clear, sunny day.
Problem was, the temperature was in the 80s, which is not conducive to distance running, especially on a course that has numerous stretches in direct sunlight. Avon’s Kaitlyn Reese managed to do what she does best, winning the girls race by more than 10 seconds, but it wasn’t easy. The junior took the lead from the beginning and opened a huge gap on eventual runner-up Hannah Jicha of Strongsville, only to slow noticeably in the latter stages of the race.
She managed to run a time of 17:49.99, but by the time she crossed the finish line, she was struggling. “It’s really hot out here,” she said.
That statement was made about 20 minutes after she finished, but Reese still was somewhat unsteady and said she was close to losing her breakfast. The good news is that she led her team to victory, as the Eagles scored 105 points to 140 for runner-up Rocky River. Defending Division I state champion Perrysburg was third with 150, followed by Solon with 157, Woodridge with 191 and Lexington with 199.
All of the teams listed above are ranked in the state cross country poll in either Division I or II. “I was happy,” said Avon coach Justin Carroll. “It’s a different course with more twists and turns and pavement running, and .