WEEK IN REVIEW : State Meet 2004
  

DIVISION 1 GIRLS: PADUA ACADEMY
The Pandas recorded their 2nd consecutive championship under Coach John Lannutti.  Soph Jen Watunya really took off in the second half of the season and led the squad with a fine 3rd place finish.  Samantha Lichtner shook off early season health issues to take 6th while the consistent  Brittiny Rhoades and MaryKate McCaffery took 9th and 11th.  Freshman Kortney Rhoades was 19th to give the Pandas 48 points, well ahead of runnerup Newark.  The Yellowjackets had a fine season capped off by a super State Meet.  Jenna McCartan's 5th place led the way but it was a total team effort.  Jessica Jacobson (20), Claire Kubizne (25), Morgan Sedgely (27) and Johnna Jermyn (30) finished within 24 seconds of each other to make it happen.  Anna Brousell capped off possibly the finest year any girl has had with a great win and Jessica Leitsch completed her fabulous career with an excellent second.  In 2003 there was only one senior in the Top 20 at States ...... NOT so this year.  In addition to the seniors already mentioned we'd like to recognize the following for their fine careers:  Liz Paul (CR), Jackie Reifschneider (AI), Rebecca Ricksecker (ST), Latoya Murray (GLA) and Colleen McCarthy and Rachel Ogburn of CSW.
 

BOYS DIVISION 1: SALESIANUM SCHOOL
The Sals won their 31st  state championship in the last 35 years, the 14th under Coach Ralph Heiss.  Senior Mike Kowal was the individual champ, going from 8th to first in the last 3/4 mile, while soph Dominic DellaPelle grabbed 2nd.  With Joe Donnelly and Kevin Wulff taking 4th and 6th the Sals won going away.  Charter had a fine effort with 6 scorers in before Sallies 5th man, led by senior Joe Debus who saved the best race of his career for last with an outstanding 3rd place run.  The Force ran 13 through 16 with frosh David Appleby and Andy Weaver along with Chor Hang Lom and Kyle Srivistava packing within 6 seconds.  Much improved junior Nick Pyle (5th) led St. Mark's to a solid third place. Special recognition to Seniors who finished their careers in a big way in their last race: Evan Kalbacher (NEW), Steve Hilk (AI), Otis Worden and Kevin Kemmerle of DOV, and Shawn Crowley (Sal).

GIRL'S DIVISION 2: TATNALL SCHOOL
This race shaped up as Archmere vs. Tatnall: Part 1.  The Hornets used their up front strength to defeat the strong Archmere pack 58-67.  Senior Lisa Klein won her 4th consecutive Division II individual  title to start things off  and was quickly followed by Joanie Castagno (3rd), Katie Kershner (6th) and Annie Castagno (7th).  The Auks put 3 in the top 11 with Frosh Erica Jackey (5th), Katie Rath (8th) and Kasey Hacker and the rest of their runners from 21 to 27 but it wasn't enough.  As we know, in XC each of the 7 runners carries an equal amount of responsibility for the teams fortunes but sometimes one kid seems to really be counted on even more.  In this case, it was Tatnall's 5th runner, freshman Katie Wehner.  Much depended on her finish and she came through big time, grabbing 41st place.  Congratulations to Coaches CAstagno of Tatnall and Mike Walsh of Archmere for excellent seasons.  Seldom seen St. Andrew's had an impressive 3rd place.  Special Congrats to seniors Sara Casscells of Tower Hill (2nd), Sarah Vernon of Concord and Rebecca Reidel of Cape who finished fine careers with top 20 finishes.
 

BOYS DIVISION 2: ARCHMERE ACADEMY
The Auks completed the year as the State's # 1 team with a hard fought win over big rival Tatnall which came down to the Sixth runner after the teams each recorded 45 points.  Like last season, Archmere was coming off a resounding victory in the NCC meet and were faced with the challenge of maintaining that emotional peak for another week.  Tatnall turned the tables at States last year and were primed to do it again, setting up a sensational battle. Soph Brian Sklodowski left no doubt as to who the top guy in DE was with a 16:13 win, 27 secs ahead of runner up Chris Bourke of Archmere.  The Hornets Mark Giblin who overcame mid-season injuries grabbed 4th ahead of Tom Procopio and freshman Scott Tibbetts (6th, 7th) for the Auks.  Soph Nick Jennison of Tat. was next in 10th, one place in front of John Corsini.  After 3 runners each it was 15-15.  Andrew Ruoss was 13th for the Hornets. After 4 guys each 26-27 Auks and its really getting tense.  Will Vinton got 17 for Tat., 4 seconds ahead of Mike Zufelt, a vastly improved Archmere Senior.  Tied 45-45.  Now what?  The hero of the day was Archmere senior Mike Davalos who took 32nd place, 4 spots ahead of the Hornets 6th man.  What a race!  Coaches  Noel Breger of Archmere and Pat Castagno of Tatnall and their teams have much to be proud of.  Archmere loses 3 seniors but its' top 3 guys are back next year.  Tatnall had no seniors on it's varsity this year.  Stay tuned.