CROSS COUNTRY Poland girls to defend crown

A total of 14 teams will compete in the East Palestine Rotary meet Saturday.
EAST PALESTINE -- Poland High's girls cross country team will defend its title at the East Palestine Rotary Invitational Saturday at the City Park here.
The middle school run is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will be followed by girls and boys high school varsity runs.
A new champion will be crowned in the boys run, with Boardman, Cardinal Mooney, Poland, Struthers and Howland expected to challenge for team honors among the 14 schools entered.
Area's top runner
Colleen Moran of Poland, with the area's top time of 19 minutes, 56 seconds, will be the athlete to beat in the girls race.
She finished third (21:08) here last year.
Amanda Ardale of Struthers, Melissa DiPanfilo of Leetonia, Andrea Firth of Mooney and Michelle Bistrica and Katie Stoll of Boardman will be among the top contenders.
Colin Durina of Mooney returns to defend his title (17:38) in the boys run.
His best effort this season has been 17:12. Poland's Jim Ramson has the area's best time (17:02) coming into the race.
Sophomore twin brothers Rick and Jake Lape of Boardman, Corey Chick of East Palestine (third last year), Tom Andriko of Lordstown and Don McClure, Mike Wilson and Dan Ardale of Struthers will be in a veteran field of runners.
Other meets
In addition to Salem's boys and girls, Maplewood, McDonald and Lordstown will compete in the girls race at the Tiffin Invitational.
South Range, which features Dan Nemergut (17:14) and Andra Sanders, will compete in the North Canton Hoover Invitational.