2021 News-Herald girls cross country all-stars
RUNNER OF THE YEAR
Savannah Dennison
Mentor, Junior
The worst finish that Dennison recorded all season was seventh, which came at the state meet. It was also her only finish outside of the top five. Dennison won four meets, including the Greater Cleveland Conference meet and the Madison D-I District, where she broke the 18 minute mark with a 17:54.56. That was the fastest time for the News-Herald coverage area. Dennison broke the record she set last season of the best finish in school history at the state meet.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Lindley, Gilmour
Lindley led the Lancers to their 11th district title in a row, and also brought home the regional crown for the second straight season. They went to their 12th straight state meet and came away with a fourth-place finish. While they lost All-Ohio runner Caitrina Barton, the Lancers retooled with Clare Valenza who in her first year stepped into the number two role full force. Gilmour had a worst team finish of third this season prior to their fourth at the state meet. While the Lancers lose strong runners in Mary Lombardo and Mia Polisena, they have a good number of runners that earned varsity experience throughout the season to retool and remain as one of the top D-III teams in the state.
FIRST TEAM
(in alphabetical order)
Brielle Collins, Fr., Hawken
Was 14th at the state meet to earn All-Ohio honors. Ran in the top 10 all year and won three meets including the CVC title and D-II Madison District. fifth at regional.
Emerson Greene, So., Kenston
Four top 10 finishes on the season, with a pair of third-place finishes one being at WRC. Was 6th at district before a tough result at regional of 133rd.
Mila Gresh, So., Chagrin Falls
Earned All-Ohio honors at state with her 24th place finish. Was runner-up at the Medina Milt Place Festival. 4th district, 6th at regional.
Grace Gyetko, Sr., West Geauga
Missed last year but made it back to the state meet where she came just short of All-Ohio honors with her 32nd. Won three straight meets during the season. 5th at district, 13th at regional.
Rose Hoelzel, Sr., Chagrin Falls
Won two meets, the McDonough Invitational and Paul Primeau Invitational. Also recorded three other top 10 finishes. Was 3rd at district, 8th at regional and 37th at state.
Cori Lynch, Sr., Perry
Finally reached the state meet and earned All-Ohio honors with her 23rd place finish. Won the Salem Early Bird Invitational at the start of the season. 7th at district, 18th at regional.
Mai Ly Marella, Jr., Mayfield
Bounced back from a challenging sophomore season. Won two races, including the WRC meet. Was 14th at district, 80th at regional.
Tai Roberts, Sr., Andrews Osborne
Never finished outside of the top 30, and won two meets. 6th at district, 12th at regional, and earned All-Ohio honors with a 30th at state.
Clare Valenza, Jr., Gilmour
In her first year of running cross country, finished in the top 10 at all but one meet. Was 3rd at district, 5th at regional and 17th at state to earn All-Ohio honors.
Amy Weybrecht, So., Gilmour
Recorded four runner-up finishes this season, including at district. Was 8th at regional and 16th at state for All-Ohio honors.
SECOND TEAM
(in alphabetical order)
Lily Ayer, So., Cardinal
Had four top 5 finishes on the season with a second at the CVC Valley meet. 11th at district, 51st at regional.
Grace Dubsky, So., Geneva
Four top 10 finishes with a best of 3rd at Grand Valley. 14th at district, 50th of regional
Mya Evangelista, So., Geneva
Had six top 10 finishes with a season-best of 2nd at Grand Valley. 15th at district, 34th at regional.
Skye Hackathorn, Sr., West Geauga
Had three finishes outside of the top 10 this season. 12th at district, 46th at regional.
Taylor Jasinski, Jr., Riverside
Had two top 5 finishes on the year, including a fifth at WRC. Was 24th at district to advance to regional.
Rae Kawalec, So., Chardon
Four top 10 finishes including a fourth at WRC. 6th at district, 54th at regional.
Mary Lombardo, Sr., Gilmour
Only had one finish outside of the top 20 and two top-fives. 5th at district, 15th at regional and 66th at state.
Elena Padley, So., Hawken
Recorded four top 10 finishes. 8th at district, 33rd at regional.
Ada Sabo, So., Mentor
Had just one finish worse than 20th. Was 9th at district, 15th at regional and 66th at state.
Renee Tetlow, Sr., Geneva
Seven top-10 finishes and a win at the Grand Valley Invitational. Was 9th at district and 55th at regional.
THIRD TEAM
(in alphabetical order)
Emma Burkey, Jr., Mayfield
Recorded four top 10s including a 2nd. 18th at district, 89th at regional.
Madison Clark, Jr., Mentor
Only one finish outside of the top 30 before the postseason. 19th at district. 67th at regional, 130th at state.
Cecilija Dautovic, Fr., Beaumont
Won inaugural Crown Conference championship. 29th at the Lorain district, 77th at regional.
Cate Dawson, So., Chardon
Had six finishes in the top 25, including a sixth at WRC. 22nd at district, 109th at regional.
Eve Downs, So., Chardon
Recorded two top 10s including a second-place at the WRC. Was 23rd at district, 62nd at district.
Taylor Hennessey, Jr., Madison
Had a pair of top 10s with a 4th at the Valley Forge invitational. Took 51st at district.
Paige Masson, Jr., Kenston
Four top 20s on the season with a best of 9th. Came 32nd at district and 90th at regional.
Cecelia Paglia, Jr., Kenston
Recorded three top 15 finishes with a best of 10th. Took 12th at district and 71st at regional.
Tori Stiles, Jr., Wickliffe
Only had two finishes outside of the top 15 with a season-best of 4th in the CVC Valley race. 23rd at district.
Kelly Ward, So., Lake Catholic
Second at the Crown Conference meet, two other top 20s on the year. 11th at district, 67th at regional.
HONOR ROLL
Beaumont: Alexa McDade, Sophia Pomnean; Berkshire: Jordyn Wichert; Brush: Maliya Grant; Chagrin Falls: Claire Coffey, Molly Longo; Chardon: Giada D’Agostino, Katie Snyder; Euclid: Jade Neal; Geneva:Alivia Reece; Gilmour: Kaitlin Rulison, Mia Polisena; Hawken: Sophia Boyd, Delicia Laio; Kenston: Katy Klotz, Sarah Roman; Kirtland: Reilly Greenlee, Ainsley Borthwick; Lake Catholic: Mila Udovicic; Madison:Lilly Alcantar; Mayfield: Lola Vigliotti; Mentor: Casey Wachhaus, Marina Roeder; NDCL: Mikala Payne, Rianna Linnert; Perry: Alyssa Vis, Grace McKoon, Holly Vis; Riverside: Gabriella D’Amico, Megan Sullivan; West Geauga: Taylor Deets, Julia Martinez