This year's edition of the Boardman Spartan Invitational should be nothing but sensational. There are several Western PA teams coming over and they are always more than competitive. However, here is a look at what you can expect from the Ohio Teams and Individuals.
Solon Sr. Joe Riordan was #2 at Tiffin last weekend behind a strong performance by Olentangy Orange's Hunter Moore. (photo Christian Lisle)
The Solon boys are ranked OH #1 as a team and US #2! They have been dominant all year and are led by OH #4, Sr. Joe Riordan. There competition in the D1 team race will come from OH #3 St. Ignatius. Ind the individual race, Jordan will be challenged OH #'s 8-11: Ignatius Sr. C.J. Ambosio is #8, Brunswick Sr. Andre Bollam-Godbott is #9, Mentor Sr. Matt Bull is #10 and Lake-Uniontown Sr. Conner Delahanty is #11.
Last year Fr. Olivia Howell of Solon and Felicia Pasadyn of Brunswick went 1-2, separated by 1.5 seconds. They are back and should challenge each other again from start to finish.
The D1 girl's race features a rematch of two of Ohio's top ranked D1 girls and the #1 and 2 ranked sophomores. Solon's Olivia Howell is OH #7 and Brunswick's Felicia Pasadyn is OH #14. Watch for OH #11, Sr. Mikaylie Park of Chardon to run with the two sophomores.
Jr. Leah Roter of Beechwood, OH #1 and US #13 leads the D2 girl's field. The D2 girl's Team race features the #2 ranked girls of CVCA.
The boy's D2 race is highlighted by the #2 ranked CVCA and #3 ranked Rocky River. OH D2 #4, Sr. Jacob Bishop of Martin's Ferry is the favorite to win the D2 boy's race.
The boy's D3 team race just may be the best of the day. Maplewood is the defending State team champion and they are ranked D3 #1. They will be challenged by the D3 #2 ranked team, St. Thomas Aquinas. OH D3 #2 Sr. Tyler Polman is favored in the boy's race, but he will be challenged by Sr. Stewart Schmidt of Green who has a #4 D3 ranking and Smithville Sr. Joey Coudriet of Smithville who is ranked #6.
On the girls side, the Aquinas girl's join their boy's team with a D3 #2 ranking. They should win as they are experienced and led by Sr. Kalee Soehnlen who is the D3 #3 ranked girl in the State.