Jake Walker on the way to his big Course Record of 15:19. (photo by Kerry Barry)
It was a day when two Christiansen course records were broken by two very good runners, Jake Walker of Ellwood City and Kacey Gibson of Neshannock.
Jake Walker of Ellwood City is one of the favorites in AA for states this year, and he solidified that position with a eye-opening course record in the Red Division at the Big Red Invitational at West Middlesex. His 15:19 broke the course record of 15:28 set by Jed Christiansen of Greenwood. Lane King of Fairview was 2nd at 16:31. North East, behind the 3-4 finishes of Ora Merlec (16:39) and Garret Gray (16:45) took team honors with just 32 points. They had five in the top 11. In the White Division race, Mike Duffee of Neshannock went 16:19 for the win. West Middlesex placed runners from 8th through 22nd for 66 points and the win.
In the girls White Division, Kacey Gibson of Neshannock also set a course record. Her monster 17:27 broke Jesi Christiansen's old record of 18:43. West Middlesex again had a great pack, putting three in the top eight to tally 79 points. In the girls Red Division, it was Elwood City's Janet Carson in 20:06. Slippery Rock, behind the 4th place finish by Janelle Hartzell in 20:43, took team honors.
Jake Walker on the way to his big Course Record of 15:19. (photo by Kerry Barry)
It was a day when two Christiansen course records were broken by two very good runners, Jake Walker of Ellwood City and Kacey Gibson of Neshannock.