Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional

Team wise, Magnificat was the only Ohio team to advance by capturing the team title on the girls side.

From an email from Magnificat coach Anjanette Arabian Whitman.

"Magnificat Cross Country team, racing as the Cleveland Blue Streaks, continued its undefeated season today by winning the Nike Midwest Regional Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, which qualifies them to run the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on December 5th.  Madeline Chambers was second overall in a new personal record time of 17:35, which is the second best high school girls’ time ever run on the Terre Haute course. Finishing in the top 20 were Clare and Abby Fischer in the times of 18:31(11th place) and 18:45 (20th place).  Rounding out the top five were Kat Stultz (27th place) and Abbie Marquard (38th place) with times of 19:02 and 19:17.  Finishing together were Erin Riley and Mary Whitmore in a time of 19:34 in 57th and 58th places.

The team came off a high energy win at last week’s State Meet to bring it together again in even better form.  The ladies are excited to earn a return trip to Oregon and they look forward to representing the State of Ohio."

The Mason girls team finished in sixth place, while the North Canton Hoover girls finished 8th.

Individually, Hannah Neczypor of North Royalton finished first with a time of 17:34, and a a new Nike Course record (with the addition of hay bales this year), Chambers, followed right behind.  Finishing third was another Ohio native, Michelle Thomas of Glen Este, who clocked in at 17:59. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy's Christina Blair finished with a time of 18:19 and placed 7th overall.

On the guys side, Zach Wills of Mason took the lead early and never looked back.  Wills had splits of: 1k - 2:35; 1 Mile - 4:39; 2K - 5:42; 2 Mile - 9:35; and a finishing time of 15:07.1 (the time on picture says 15:08 as that was the first confirmed time that was reported).  Bay's Michael Brajdic finished 7th overall in a time of 15:30 and qualified in the fifth and final individual spot.

Watch the Zach Wills Interview

Team wise, St. Ignatius finished in 7th place, while Mason finished in 13th.

Other Videos from MoMileSplit, our Missouri counterpart, has video footage of both races, along with interviews with Joe Newton, coach at York High School.  Videos from MoMileSplit can be found at http://milespl.it/pl78b4