Copploe, Stanhope win

Cross Country at Fairgrounds

Gallery

By BOB ETTINGER

sports@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Gianna Stanich knows what works for her. Conversely, she also understands what doesn’t.

The Poland junior resisted what she knew would hurt her and used what she does best at the 2018 Suburban League Cross Country Championships on Wednesday at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

“I start out races more conservative so I don’t kill myself,” Stanich said. “I love track because it’s more speed. The end [of a race] that comes more into play for me.”

Stanich finished second to Badger’s Miranda Stanhope.

“I knew Miranda would be here,” Stanich said. “She’s very good. I knew it would be tough. I was definitely trying to keep her in sight, but I know I can’t go out that fast. I tried to work my way back up to her.”

Stanhope ran away from the field, winning in 19:08 with Stanich a minute back at 20:08.

Giovanni Copploe of Canfield took home the win in the boys race in 16:33.

“My goal today was to just win the race today on my home course,” Copploe said. “I had it in my head that I was going to take off at the two-mile mark.”

Mitchel Dunham of Boardman was second in 16:59.

“I just wanted to go out with [Copploe],” Dunham said. “His goal was to sit back. I was expecting [his move] at the two-mile mark. I was just waiting for him to make his move and whatever happened, I wanted to stick with him as long as I could.”

Lordstown’s Jessica Wilk was third in 20:12, falling behind Stanich in the final 800 meters for the second race in a row.

“Last year, I was 34th,” Wilk said. “So it was a really good job. I was a little surprised to do that well. [Stanich] passed me in the last 800 meters again. I just have a hard time kicking at the end.”

Howland won the girls team championship with 76 points.

“We work very well as a team,” Howland coach Robin Kapalko said. “They pull each other along.”

Molly Yasnowski was the only Tiger in the top 10 in placing seventh in 20:42. Jenna Craigo (21:17), Gabby Reuschling (21:44), Elenie McNally (21:45) and Maria Dellimuti (21:52) were 14th, 17th, 18th and 20th.

“They’ve worked hard together all season,” Kapalko said. “They pull each other along. They talk to each other during the race about their positions and the course. I’ve been trying to drive home that the team is our ticket. We had five in the top 20. You’re only as good as your fifth runner.”

McDonald placed Anna Guerra (fourth, 20:15) and Bella Wolford (10th, 21:00) in the top 10 to take second with 94 points. Sela Jones was 11th, Janessa Martinelli was 28th and Chloe Dean was 41st.

Sophia McGee (fifth, 20:35), Alayna Cuevas (sixth, 20:41) and Julia Gorby (ninth, 20:55) all finished in the top 10, but the Spartans placed third with 95 points.

Kristin Yeager finished eighth in 20:47 for Austintown Fitch.

McDonald claimed the boys title with 63 points by grouping Connor Symbolik, Brody Rupe and Zack Canada in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

“I’d like to think we’re just starting to hit our stride,” McDonald coach Chris Rupe said. “This is the first meet we’ve won this season. We’ve run seven meets and we finally won today.”

Symbolik finished in 17:29.5, Rupe in 17:29.6 and Canada in 17:34.

“That’s the strength of us,” Rupe said. “We have lots of guys who help us. In this sport, it’s about how your No. 1 matches up against their No. 1, how your No. 2 matches up against their No. 2, and so on.”

Copploe paced Canfield to a second-place finish with 109 points. Nick Plant was eighth in 17:41, Jake Yurchison was 27th in 18:30, Bobby Smallwood was 33rd in 18:41 and Zach Russo was 40th in 18:50.

Dunham’s second-place finish led the Spartans to take third with 178 points. Anthony Marshall was 26th in 18:30, Justin Maloney 32nd in 18:39, Caydin Newberry 54th in 19:06 and Beau Gorby 64th in 19:27.

Also in the top 10 were Lincon Hopkins of Badger, who was sixth in 17:37, Geno Gallo of Poland, who was seventh in 17:40 and Luke Baun of South Range, wo placed ninth in 17:42. Micah Curry of Niles was 10th in 17:45.