Rockets place 4th at state X-C meet

Vindicator staff report

The Maplewood cross country team had a good day on Saturday.

It was hoping for a great one.

The Rockets placed fourth in both the boys and girls Division III races at the state cross country meet at Scioto Downs.

The boys team finished with 113 points — just four behind second-place St. Thomas Aquinas.

It was the 20th straight state appearance for the Rocket boys.

“We’re a little discouraged on the guys’ side,” said Rockets coach Ted Rupe. “We were shooting for second.

“When it comes down to a couple points, you think, ‘We could have had that.’”

Senior Tom Bottorff finished a terrific four-year career with a ninth-place finish for the Rockets to earn first team All-Ohio honors.

It was the best performance by an area runner in any division.

“He ran a great race,” said Rupe. “For four years, he’s been really solid. He’s always steady for us.

“We had some guys run really good races today and some others that didn’t.”

Senior Eric Rupe — Ted’s son — was 25th for the Rockets and senior Aaron Harrison was 27th.

Maplewood has won four state titles since the streak began and finished second three other times. But with his top four runners graduating, Rupe fears this year might be the last.

“It’s going to be a stretch,” he said. “We just might close the door with 20.

“We’ll see.”

McDonald freshman Patrick Kunkel, who won a district title two weeks ago, finished 11th and junior teammate Jerry Dugan was 12th as the Blue Devils finished fifth with 122 points.

Senior Frank Natoli was 30th.

Independence won the title with 84 points, while Bellaire St. John Central was third with 111.

It was McDonald’s 11th straight trip to Columbus.

The Blue Devils have won three state titles and finished second four other times since 1999.

South Range senior Ryan Roush placed 41st as an individual.

In Division II, West Branch senior Joey Schuleter was 21st. No area athletes competed in the big-school division.

On the girls side, Maplewood freshman Alanna Shamrock finished and area-best 17th and junior teammate Krystal Williams placed 21st as the Rockets finished with 143 points. Williams won a district title two weeks ago and Maplewood won district and regional team titles over the past two weekends.

“For both teams to finish fourth, that’s incredible,” said Rupe. “When you finish in the top four at state at our school, the team makes it into the [Maplewood] hall of fame, so that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Minster won the team title with 98, while Spencerville (123) and Burton Berkshire (134) finished second and third, respectively.

Sarah Jones finished 35th to lead McDonald, which finished with 272 points.

Individually, Lowellville senior Monica Ciarniello capped a stellar career by placing 38th.

It was the fourth straight year Ciarniello qualified for Columbus as an individual.

East Palestine senior Leighann Kelvington placed 78th.

No area girls qualified for the Div. I or II races.