Fairview, Crestwood Lead Tight CVC Championship Races

BURTON–The team races remain wide open after the opening day of the 2026 Chagrin Valley Conference Metro and Valley Track & Field Championships at Berkshire High School, with several programs positioning themselves for a strong closing push Thursday.

On the boys’ side, Crestwood track leads the Valley Division with 50 points, narrowly ahead of Berkshire track (43) and Kirtland track (42). In the Metro Division, Independence track and Fairview track are deadlocked atop the standings with 49 points apiece.

The girls’ races are just as competitive. Berkshire sits first in the Valley Division with 44 points, while Rootstown track and Crestwood share second with 35. In the Metro Division, Fairview built a solid cushion with 63 points ahead of Independence (41) and Lutheran West track (37).

Distance Stars Shine for Kirtland and Fairview

Izzie Copeland paced a dominant opening day for the Kirtland girls, winning the Valley Division 3200-meter run in 11:53.91 before helping the Hornets capture the 4×800 relay in 10:07.16. Teammate Nadija Mrva added a runner-up finish in the 3200 with a personal-best 12:19.18.

Fairview’s distance group also delivered crucial points in the Metro Division. Bryce Ries won the boys 3200 in a personal-best 10:05.55 and anchored the Warriors’ winning 4×800 relay team that crossed in 8:31.69. Emily Dahler matched that effort on the girls’ side, winning the 3200 in a personal-best 12:10.39 before teaming with sister Claire Dahler, Meghan McDonald, and Kailyn Cornell to win the 4×800 relay.

Crestwood Boys Pile Up Points in Valley Division

Crestwood used its depth to surge into the Valley Division lead.

Damien Richards and Garret Byers helped the Red Devils win the boys 4×800 relay, then both returned to place in the top four of the 3200. Byers finished second in a personal-best 10:42.40, while Richards took fourth with another personal best in 10:48.60.

Crestwood also picked up victories from Sam Roosa in the discus (150-5) and Jack Patton in the long jump (20-4.75).

Berkshire and Independence Excel in the Field

Berkshire leaned heavily on its field-event strength to stay atop the Valley Division girls standings.

Samantha Snow and Bridget Miller finished first and second in the girls’ pole vault, while Cohen Gielink won the boys’ pole vault. Stella Bateman added a runner-up finish in the high jump with a season-best clearance of 4-10.

Independence answered with a strong field-event showing in the Metro Division.

Alex Waski won the discus with a personal-best throw of 150-8, while Stephen Mlynarczyk captured the long jump title at 19-9.25. On the girls’ side, Emily Gibbons won the shot put with a personal-best mark of 32-3.

• Full Day 1 Results

Finals Results (Top 4)

Boys 3200 Valley

1. Evan Tromba (Berkshire) — 10:33.85
2. Garret Byers (Crestwood) — 10:42.40 PB
3. Tycho Smolk (Rootstown) — 10:45.00 PB
4. Damien Richards (Crestwood) — 10:48.60 PB

Boys 3200 Metro

1. Bryce Ries (Fairview) — 10:05.55 PB
2. Mitchell Creel (Independence) — 10:08.78 PB
3. Chris Malasi (Fairview) — 10:47.35 PB
4. Jackson Heisner (Lutheran West) — 10:47.78

Boys Discus Valley

1. Sam Roosa (Crestwood) — 150-5
2. Charlie Vignero (Kirtland) — 145-5
3. Niko Garrison (Wickliffe) — 137-6
4. Vince Prusock (Kirtland) — 125-9

Boys Discus Metro

1. Alex Waski (Independence) — 150-8 PB
2. Isaac Brown (Lutheran West) — 135-6
3. James Henley (Cuyahoga Heights) — 127-0
4. Cody Weise (Fairview) — 124-0

Girls 3200 Valley

1. Izzie Copeland (Kirtland) — 11:53.91
2. Nadija Mrva (Kirtland) — 12:19.18 PB
3. Addison Passow (Berkshire) — 12:34.75 PB
4. Piper Freedline (Crestwood) — 12:45.38

Girls 3200 Metro

1. Emily Dahler (Fairview) — 12:10.39 PB
2. Ella Rath (Lutheran West) — 13:02.09 PB
3. Kailyn Cornell (Fairview) — 14:13.17
4. Alina Mortus (Lutheran West) — 14:21.41 PB

Girls Shot Put Valley

1. Maddy Sheridan (Crestwood) — 31-9
2. Emma Sulyok (Wickliffe) — 28-8.25 PB
3. Sophi Smith (Rootstown) — 27-6
4. Cordelia Palomo (Wickliffe) — 27-1.25

Girls Shot Put Metro

1. Emily Gibbons (Independence) — 32-3 PB
2. Breya Higham (Lutheran West) — 31-3.25 PB
3. Elyse Grill (Independence) — 28-0
4. Taylor Petrime (Lutheran West) — 27-5 PB