Salukombo Runs Past Competition
Lakewood Varsity Cross Country runner Makorobondo Salukombo, also known as Dee, won his third cross country race of the season by winning the McDonough Invitational, held at Forest Hill Park in Cleveland Heights on Saturday, September 15. In addition to his third win, Dee recorded a personal record (PR) by completing the 5k race in 15 minutes, 51 seconds.
Dee’s first place finish, along with strong finishes by the six other Lakewood Varsity team members - Nick and Casey Meeson, Tim Kelly, Jay Toole, Mike Andreani, and Pat Joyce -earned the team First Place overall among the 15 teams competing. The Lakewood JV team placed third overall among 13 teams. JV runner Jacob Ott got his first overall win with a PR time of 17:43, while teammate Matt Miller placed third overall.
The McDonough Invitational, known as a fast and tough course with a steep and brutal climb, saw 19 Lakewood runners score PR’s, including first year runner Tim Kelly with a time of 16:57.
The Girls Varsity team took sixth place overall with 11 teams competing. Varsity runner Hannah Evans was the highest placing Lakewood runner, coming in 21st with a time of 21:12.
Saturday, September 22, saw the Boys Varsity team win the Second Sole Strongsville Invitational held at Strongsville’s Pat Catan High School. The meet drew 18 teams. Makorobondo Salukombo won the meet with a time of 16:01, followed closely again by teammates Nick and Casey Meeson, Tim Kelly, Jay Toole, Jacob Ott, Mike Andreani, Matt Miller, and Pat Joyce.
The Boys Open race saw Lakewood finish a strong fifth out of 15 teams competing. Sam Debaltzo was the highest placing Lakewood runner in the open race, followed by Max Senger, Ryan Walsh, Willie Wirtz, Clay Verga, John Reulbach and Kyle Kovach.
The Girls Varsity team finished 13th overall in a field of 15. Hannah Evans was the highest placing Girls Varsity runner followed by Daniella Beltran, Bianca Beltran, Rebecca Hartsel, Audrey Wimbiscus, Morgan Bulger, and Emily Patsouras.
The Girls Open race saw Lakewood finish 13th out of 14 teams.
According to Lakewood Cross Country Head Coach Rick Ventura, the Cross Country team is “further ahead” than he thought they would be at this point in the season and “barring any injuries or illnesses” they should qualify for the State Championships held at Scioto Downs in Columbus on November 3, 2007.
This year, with the team being in a new conference (NOC - Northeast Ohio Conference), they will compete at the Boardman Regional. Ventura says Boardman is a “chancier course” than Tiffin and there will be “a lot of good teams” represented. However, with the team’s successes so far this season and the team being “deeper” with talent this year, Ventura is excited about their chances and the balance of the season. To qualify for the State Championships, the team will need to do well at the Boardman race, held October 27, in Boardman, Ohio. And there are 4 more races before then, including one in Genesse Valley, New York.
