Sports

Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational draws nearly 5,000 runners to area

By Mike Brown Mahoning Matters
Hundreds of runners race out at the start of Saturday’s annual Boardman Spartan Invitational on the grounds of Boardman High School. The meet is one of the largest regular-season invitational meets in Ohio.
Hundreds of runners race out at the start of Saturday’s annual Boardman Spartan Invitational on the grounds of Boardman High School. The meet is one of the largest regular-season invitational meets in Ohio. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

BOARDMAN — A beautiful pre-fall day with mild temperatures and brilliant blue skies greeted thousands of runners participating in the prestigious 38th annual Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational held Saturday at Boardman High School.

Thousands of fans turned out to watch the prestigious event, which is regarded as one of the top regular-season invitational cross-country meets in Ohio and the Midwest.

Runners race down the hill in the girls’ race as hundreds of fans look on during Saturday’s annual Boardman Spartan Invitational.
Runners race down the hill in the girls’ race as hundreds of fans look on during Saturday’s annual Boardman Spartan Invitational. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

Three different states were represented in Saturday’s meet, including Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

“It’s great competition,” said Canfield boys’ and girls’ cross country coach Eric O’Brien. “You get teams from Pennsylvania and everybody from Ohio. It’s a great regional course and it prepares for the boys’ and girls’ (teams) to run for the season.”

When did the Spartan Invitational begin?

The Spartan Invitational began nearly 40 years ago. It was run at Boardman Park but has been held on the grounds of Boardman High School for many decades since.

Canfield head cross country coach Eric O’Brien, left, talks to members of the Cardinals’ boys’ cross country team before their race at Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Invitational held on the grounds of Boardman High School.
Canfield head cross country coach Eric O’Brien, left, talks to members of the Cardinals’ boys’ cross country team before their race at Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Invitational held on the grounds of Boardman High School. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

“I think they said they had almost 5,000 athletes today,” said O’Brien of the magnitude of talent at the Spartan Invitational, which featured numerous races covering 7 1/2 hours. There was also a mid-day intermission for the first time in the history of the race.

“I’ve only been the (Canfield) coach for a couple years but (Canfield) has been here many years,” said O’Brien. “I just appreciate everything Boardman does, they put on a great course and the kids have a ton of fun.”

Which teams, individuals won the meet?

In the boys’ Division I portion, Hampton (Pa.) won the overall title with 148 points, while North Canton Hoover was runner-up with 164 points. Locally, Boardman was 10th with 369 points, Canfield was 13th with 410 points and Salem was 24th with 583 points.

Race officials go over details before the start of a race at Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational.
Race officials go over details before the start of a race at Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

The overall boys’ D1 champion was Dale Hall from Hampton, with a winning time of 15:36.1. The top local boys’ finisher in D1 was Canfield senior Blake Baker, who was seventh in a time of 15:53.2.

“We’ve done pretty well,” said Canfield’s O’Brien. “We’re running on tired legs but we expect that this time of the season because we’re looking at the finish (postseason) at the end of the season.”

In the girls’ Division I race, North Allegheny (Pa.) won the crown with 78 points, outdistancing runner-up Shaker Heights with 123 points. The top local team was Salem, which finished 10th with 288 points, Boardman was 12th with 371 points, and Canfield was 20th with 508 points.

A top finisher crosses the finish line during Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Invitational held before thousands of fans on the grounds of Boardman High School.
A top finisher crosses the finish line during Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Invitational held before thousands of fans on the grounds of Boardman High School. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

The top D1 female runner was Mary Pizem from Brecksville in 18:45.9. The top area runner was Maggie Hall of Salem, who was 16th in 19:44.9.

The D2 boys’ team champion was the Woodridge Bulldogs with a score of 68, while Kenston was second with 109. Locally, Lakeview was fourth with a 151, South Range was 10th at 298, Beaver Local was 22nd at 719, Poland was 31st with an 828, Girard was 33rd with an 841, Hubbard was 34th at 957 and Niles was 37th with 1133.

The top D2 boys’ champ was Colin Cernansky of Marlington in 15:55, while the runner-up was Michael Nicholls of Marlington in 16:02.7.

The D2 girls’ team champ was Woodridge with 86 points, while Minerva was second with 115. Locally, Poland was 13th with a 363, West Branch was 26th at 718 and Niles was 34th with a 945.

The girls’ champion was Madelyn Begert of Northwest in 18:37, while the runner-up was Reese Reaman of Woodridge in 18:41.7.

A Salem runner, right, races into the woods and into the final stretch of Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational.
A Salem runner, right, races into the woods and into the final stretch of Saturday’s Boardman Spartan Cross Country Invitational. Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

Maplewood’s boys’ team won the D3 team crown with 62 points, while Tusky Valley was runner-up with 110 points. Locally, Mineral Ridge was third with 170 points, Jackson-Milton was ninth with 303 points, McDonald was 14th with 433, Southern Local was 21st with 513 points, Columbiana was 26th with 640 points and Lowellville was 27th with 656 points.

The top D3 boys’ champion was Alex Donaldson of Maplewood in 16:26, while Dominic Pappagallo of Mineral Ridge was second in 16:30.7.

In the D3 girls’ race, Maplewood won the crown with 64 points, while Mogadore was runner-up with 70 points. Locally, McDonald was third with 84 points, East Palestine was 15th with 395 and South Range was 16th with 416.

The D3 girls’ champ was Caleigh Richards of Maplewood in 18:29, while the runner-up was Rebecca Geiss of Heartland Christian in 18:51.9.

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