By MIKE FINNEY
Staff reporter
11/03/2002

FELTON -- A wicked wind that produced cheek-numbing cold took the fast times right off the clock at the Henlopen Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

But that did not bother the runners. They were aiming for trophies at Killens Pond State Park's 3.1-mile course.

Sophomore Elizabeth Paul won the girls individual title in helping Caesar Rodney High defend its team crown, while Dover junior Charles Gibson won the boys race and sparked the Senators to their first Henlopen meet title since 1988.

It was an extension of the dual-meet season, in which Caesar Rodney's girls and Dover's boys also won the conference championships.

Paul ran stride-for-stride with teammate Kashante Codner over the first two miles before pulling away. She finished in 20 minutes, 3 seconds - 19 seconds ahead Codner, who was second. Seaford's Caitlin McGroerty was third (20:24), followed by Caesar Rodney's Jenay Friend (20:38) and Cape Henlopen's Amy Mallamo (20:49).

"I was kind of holding back the first mile, just kind of staying up in the lead pack, and then after two miles I picked it up," Paul said.

The Riders placed five runners in the top 11 to score 26 points, far ahead of runner-up Seaford, which had 63.

Seaford was strong early in the race, but Caesar Rodney coach Charlie Bell said he did not get overly concerned.

"Elizabeth was excellent," Bell said. "I don't worry about anybody else except our team. That's all I can worry about. And once they go out there, you can't even worry about them."

The Riders won their seventh Henlopen meet since the inaugural competition in 1982, just one behind all-time leader Lake Forest.

Gibson and Milford's Chad Carpenter renewed their rivalry in the boys race, with Gibson holding on to win in 16:53, nine seconds ahead of Carpenter.

The two have had an exciting, yet friendly, rivalry the past two seasons.

"I felt like I was about to die," Gibson said. "Right before the half-mile, I took the lead. I just felt like I had enough energy. Chad was right on my tail the whole time, and I thought he was really going to get me today."

Carpenter was encouraged that he finished as close to Gibson as he did. It was his best effort in a Henlopen meet.

"This is the closest I've been to Charles all season. I'm really happy about that," Carpenter said.

Following Gibson, Dover was sparked by Pat Boyle (third), Richard Worley (fifth), Aaron Baldwin (sixth) and Gary Smith (31st).

Dover had 46 points, ahead of Caesar Rodney (58) and Cape Henlopen (79).

Things were a little tense for the Senators, since their fifth runner Smith was running with a sore back.

"We've got to get our fifth man [Smith] healthy," Senators coach Jim Solomon said. "I commend him for his commitment and courage, because his back is really bothering him."