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Maplewood boys win team title
Richmond, Klim, Kunkel, Pierson
win individual district races
By Brandon Judeh
BAZETTA
Coming in to Saturday’s boys and girls Division II and III district tournament meet at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds, there were a few sure things.
The Maplewood and McDonald boys teams were heavily favored in Division III and both proved why.
“It feels great to win districts, but it’s kind of bittersweet because this is my last district meet,” said third-place finisher Wyatt Hartman. “It’s weird knowing that I only have two more races left in my high school career.”
McDonald senior Patrick Kunkel (16:12) took the overall title and says he is anxious to move on to regionals next week at Boardman.
He also added that his coach almost had him sit this race out.
“We were trying to figure out our top seven and we ended up deciding on keeping me in the race,” Kunkel said.
Kunkel said his team’s ultimate goal is to win a second straight state title.
Along with Kunkel and Hartman, others going to regionals are Tim Nichols (South Range), Solomon Yoder, Derek Morrison, Mike Dahmen and Tristan Dahmen (Maplewood), Tyler Smith (McDonald), Logan Smith (Mineral Ridge) and Zach Hawout (McDonald).
Poland’s girls won the Division II team title and the Bulldogs’ McKinsie Klim (19:03) took the individual title.
“We feel really good about our chances at regionals next week, we keep working hard and pushing ourselves to do better,” Klim said.
Klim’s sisters, Melissa and Michelle, also are on the team.
“It would be awesome to win state with my sisters, it would be something none of us would ever forget,” McKinsie said.
Girard’s team, led by Domenique Hall, also qualified,
Other notable runners advancing are Catlyn Walker (Struthers) and Amanda Richards (LaBrae).
McDonald won the Division III girls race and will be joined at the regional meet by South Range, Badger and Rootstown.
South Range freshman Mollie Pierson came in first place with a time of 19:43, cruising to an easy victory.
“I pulled away around the mile and a half mark, my teammates did a great job too,” Pierson said.
Lakeview won the Division II boys race. The Bulldogs are district champions for the first time in 16 years. Eric Harris finished second among the individuals.
“We have been working for this all year and I told my coach that before I graduated I would win him a district title,” Harris said.
Liberty’s Jonathon Richmond (16:47) won the individual title. Also headed to regionals are Champion’s Allen Sparks and Nick Mackey, LaBrae’s Caleb Johnson, Girard’s Kade Swartz and Southeast’s Ray Stull.