CROSS COUNTRY Rockets repeat as state champ

Freshman Andy Arnio placed third to lead Maplewood past McDonald.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- In early September, Maplewood High senior Paul Moser walked over to coach Ted Rupe and asked, "Wouldn't it be awesome if we did it?"
Rupe smiled and said, "Did what?"
"Won a state title," Moser said.
"Yeah," Rupe said. "But there's no way that will happen."
At that point, Maplewood -- the 2002 Division III state boys cross country champions -- was just hoping to keep its streak of 14-straight state tournament berths alive.
"We never fathomed we could win it," Moser said. "First we wanted to get to state. Then we said, 'Let's go for top 10.' Then top five. Then top four."
Then came last week's regional meet, when the Rockets edged McDonald for the first time all year by placing first.
That was a surprise.
What came Saturday was a shock.
Led by freshman Andy Arnio's stunning third-place finish, Maplewood cruised to its second straight title, beating McDonald 46-101 at the state championship at Scioto Downs.
"Incredible," Rupe said.
"I'm speechless," senior Craig Rupe said.
"Can't ask for anything more than that," Moser said.
Surprise finish
South Range junior Dan Nemergut was the area's second-biggest surprise, placing second behind Stryker senior Braden Martinez -- the best finish in Raiders history.
"It was just one of those days," Nemergut, whose sisters Julie and Kim were perennial state qualifiers before graduating, said. "I didn't even think about [the race] this week. I didn't want to get nervous."
His sisters -- who both run in college -- made sure to wish him luck before the race.
"They just told me to go out and have fun," he said. "Everyone said they knew I could do it. Everyone believed but me.
"But now I do."
Jackson-Milton senior Luke McCluggage, who finished fifth last season, had to stop in the middle of the race after slipping on the pavement and injuring his ankle. McCluggage, who had not lost a race all season, was carted away and did not finish.
After the race, Nemergut sat next to McCluggage on the training table and gave him some words of encouragement.
"I felt so bad," Nemergut said.
"You never want to see that, but he'll go on to run in college in much bigger races than this," said South Range coach Jack Nemergut.
Strong area showing
McDonald senior Joe Kunkel finished fifth as the Blue Devils finished second for the third time in four years.
McDonald won state titles in 1999 and 2001.
"They won absolutely convincingly," McDonald Chris Rupe said of Maplewood. "We just didn't have a good race and I can't explain why we didn't perform up to our ability. Our hats go off to Maplewood."
Rather than gloat, the Rockets had nothing but praise for McDonald.
"Those guys are awesome," Craig Rupe said
A Trumbull County team has finished first or second in Div. III for seven straight years. Maplewood won its first state title under Rupe in 1997 and finished as runner-up in 1998 to East Canton.
The Rockets lost four seniors from last year's team, but got huge contributions from their two freshmen -- Arnio and freshman Andy Morgan, who placed 24th.
"Everything they needed to have happen, happened and then some," Chris Rupe said of Maplewood. "We're happy for them."
Southington sophomore Ryan Gilanyi finished 47th in his first trip to the state meet and South Range sophomore Doug Miller was 76th.
But the day belonged to Maplewood. And Craig Rupe may have found the only way to explain why.
"It was magic," he said.
scalzo@vindy.com