CROSS COUNTRY Boardman, Maplewood teams favored in meet

There will be 37 varsity girls and boys teams in the 5,000-meter runs.
CANFIELD -- Boardman High's boys and Maplewood's girls will be the schools to beat Tuesday at the Suburban League Cross Country championships at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
The 5,000-meter runs for the 37 varsity girls and boys teams are scheduled for 4:30 and 5:05 p.m., respectively. Middle School 3,200 races for girls and boys are set for 5:40 and 6:10.
Twin brothers Jake and Rick Lape, along with teammates Matt Moore, Adam Haushalter, Dom Corso and Seth and Ryan Westfall, will try to keep the Spartans' unbeaten Suburban League winning streak (37-0) going.
Colin Durina of Mooney returns to defend the boys individual title, a run he won in 16 minutes, 42 seconds in 2004. His best effort this season has been 16:56.
Lapes among favorites
Boardman, the defending league champion, has veteran runners Jake (16:18) and Rick (16:23) Lape expected to be among the top contenders. But Maplewood's Andy Arnio (15:53) and Andy Morgan (16:09) are the athletes to beat.
Expected to challenge the front runners are Poland's Jimmy Ramson (16:28), Lakeview's Damian Potter (17:05), Canfield's Andy Fusco (17:07), McDonald's Joe Copploe (17:10), Southington's Ryan Gilanyi (17:08) and Lordstown's Jake DiEugenio (17:13).
Maplewood (34-1) was the regular season girls league champion. Mooney (31-1) was a close second and McDonald (31-3) was third, but Poland returns to defend its crown.
Lauren Fithian (20:28) placed second a year ago for the Bulldogs. Her best effort this season has been 20:10. Ro Rupe of Maplewood has the best time (19:30) entering the race.
Boardman's Lauren Agnew (20:25), Jackson-Milton's Samantha Hamilton (20:46) and Struthers' Amanda Ardale (21:02) will contend.