PREP PREVIEW \ State cross country

When: SaturdayWhere: Scioto Downs, ColumbusCost: $8Schedule: Girls Div. III (11:05 a.m.); II (11:50); I (12:35 p.m.); Boys Div. III (1:20); II (2:05); I (2:50).
AREA QUALIFIERSBOYS
Division I: Jake Lape (Boardman)Division II: Salem (Aiman Scullion, Paul Shivers, Patrick Gorby, Mike Overholser, Mike Downs); Colin Durina (Mooney)Division III: Maplewood (Andy Arnio, Andy Morgan, Chaz Rice, Kyle Doneyko, Steve Barnhart); McDonald (Taylor Sowers, Joe Copploe, Lance Ronghi, Eddie Moody, Mitchell Thornton); Doug Miller (South Range); Ryan Gilanyi (Southington); Jake DiEugenio (Lordstown); Jimmy Hynes (Badger)
GIRLS
Division I: Lauren Agnew (Boardman)Division II: Salem (Alexis Thorne, Deirdre Clary, Liz Shivers, Erin Murphy, Lauren Shivers); Lauren Fithian (Poland)Division III: McDonald (Callie Garland, Kyrsti Sowers, Jenn Molinari, Courtney Dombroski, Ashleigh Tondo); Rochelle Rupe (Maplewood)
NOTEBOOK
Back in the big dance: Maplewood's boys team is making its 16th straight state tournament appearance. The Rockets, ranked first in Division III in the final state coaches poll, are favored to win their fifth state title. Maplewood won back-to-back titles in 2002-03 and also won in 1997 and 1972. The Rockets can tie McDonald for second on the all-time list with five state titles. Akron North and Cincinnati Elder also have five. The Blue Devils are the defending state champs in Div. III, also winning titles in 2001, 1999, 1983 and 1982. A Trumbull County team has won a state title in Div. III every year since 1999.Other state champions: Salem's boys team won its fourth state title last season. The Quakers also won in 1993, 1930 and 1931. Other area schools with multiple state championships include Fitch (1971-72, 1975), Lakeview (1967-68), Girard (1998, 2000). Southeast's girls team won three straight state titles from 1983-85. The Pirates are the only area girls team to have won a state title.Who's next? Arnio could become the first Maplewood runner to win an individual state title since Ted Rupe did it in 1972. Rupe is now the Rockets' coach. South Range's Dan Nemergut won a Division III individual state title last season. Nemergut is now a freshman at YSU.Tough regional: Because the level of competition was so high in Division II at the Boardman regional -- and because only four teams would qualify -- it was almost certain that one of the best boys teams in the state was going to go home early. Sure enough, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit -- the state's second-ranked team and the defending regional champions -- finished fifth. "I think this region will finish 1-4 at state," said Scullion. "I think it would go 1-6 if we qualified two more teams."Bad view: If you're going to the state meet, be sure to bring your binoculars. The stands are far back from the course, making it difficult to follow the race.
Joe Scalzo