Geneva’s girls’ cross country team finished first while the Eagles were second in the boys’ event at the Ashtabula Lakeside War on the Shore meet on Monday. Cardinal’s boys and girls teams also put in work in their season openers.
The Eagles had four girls finish among the top 10 including senior Jocelyn DeVan, who finished third with a time of 22:30, junior Leah Costell, who was sixth in 22:47, junior Elizabeth Joy, who placed eighth with a time of 22:51, and senior Mikayla Watts, who was ninth in 23:05.
“Both teams ran well today,” said Geneva coach Emily Long. “We have talked about the importance of working together as a team and pacing together. I think they executed this fairly well today. (We need) a little more work in that area but definitely a great start to the season. It’s always exciting to start the season on that course and to finish with positive attitudes.”
Geneva had three boys place among the top 10.
Senior Forrest Long was third (18:47), junior Jacob Mirabell was fourth (18:48) and senior Jacob Robinson was 10th (19:22).
Cardinal’s young team got a taste of strong competition and the Huskies showed promise.
“I think today at Lakeside was a really great start to our season,” said Cardinal coach Tyler Jones. “Having a young team and being able to show up and compete was the goal for today and I think we accomplished that goal.”
Sophomore Trevor Bachna led the boys with a time of 22:55 while sophomore Gene Henrie (23:52) and sophomore John Kneier (24:57) also came in under 25 minutes.
“Trevor Bachna did a great job on the boys’ side,” Jones said. “He showed a lot of strength and commitment by attacking the hills and keeping his own on the flats today.”
Junior Anna Blubaugh paced the Huskies in the girls’ race. She finished in 25:18, good for 34th overall in her first cross country meet.
Sophomore Julianna Pollack (30:16), junior Autumn Zak (30:18) and freshman Chloe Dubasik (30:20) rounded out Cardinal’s top four.
“Anna Blubaugh, in her first ever cross country meet, showed up and was able to navigate a fairly difficult course like she’s been doing it for years,” Jones said. “I’m excited to see what she can do this year.”
