CROSS COUNTRY Albani is going for it all

The Boardman runner has a goal of winning both the regional and state championships.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Don't expect Tom Albani to lose any sleep before Saturday's high school cross country regional meet at Boardman High School.
Running without your team? No problem -- he's done it before.
Only area runner in the boys Division I race? No big deal -- he wants to win it.
Chance of snow? No sweat. (Literally.)
"This is northeast Ohio," Albani said. "Bad weather is something you live with. Snow is OK with me."
Sixth last year: The Boardman High senior finished sixth at the regional last year with a time of 16 minutes, 45.73 seconds, and bettered that mark at last week's district race, running 16:34.16 to finish behind North Canton Hoover senior Glenn Collins.
"I'm going to go out and do the best I can do," Albani said of Saturday's regional. "If I can win it, I'm going to try to win it."
Win it or not, Albani is a virtual lock to qualify for a second-straight trip to the state meet on Nov. 2 at Scioto Downs in Columbus. The top 15 runners not on a qualifying team advance.
Albani will again be challenged by Collins, who beat him by 13 seconds, and Hudson junior Wesley Smith, who placed second in the state last year. Albani finished 54th at the state meet in 2000.
Collins beat Albani by 16 seconds at the Spartan Invitational in September.
"Having run it is a little bit of an advantage," he said. "But it comes down to who's gonna want to bleed for it."
Goals: Albani, who wants to run cross country in college, said his goals are to make it on the podium at state -- awarded to the top 12 runners -- and to finish under 16 minutes.
"Moving on is one thing," Albani said. "I'm looking to make an impact."
Unlike last year, Albani won't have his team around him, but it's not like he'll be alone. Teammate Brittany Durkin will run in the girls Div. I race after placing ninth at the district meet with a time of 20:25.40.
The Spartan sophomore said advancing will be tough.
"I'm definitely going to have to run the race of my life," Durkin said. "Our district is really hard and now we add two others that are really strong."
Advantages: Durkin has a couple advantages. She obviously knows the course -- and enjoys lousy weather.
"I like running in the cold," she said. "When it's hot, you get tired and your mind is on the heat. When it's colder out, I'm more relaxed."
She will be running without her teammates for the first time -- Boardman advanced to state as a team last year -- but teammate Gina Mavrikis has trained with Durkin this week to help her prepare.
Canfield senior Kristen Piersante will be the only other area girl in the Div. I race. Piersante finished 10th at the district -- one second behind Durkin -- and placed 50th at state last year. Durkin beat Piersante by 14 seconds at the Spartan Invitational.
scalzo@vindy.com