Briarwood Invitational
A few surprises on a humid, almost summer-like day on Philly's Belmont Plateau. Course record-holder Jessica Cickay of Council Rock-North finished 5th in the Championship race, 36 seconds off the pace set by Cardinal O'Hara's Katie Kelly, who went the fastest time of the day in 19:33.96. But North Penn, behind the 7th place effort of Cheryl Dingman in 20:17.39, took the team title with 83 point, five better than NJ's Shawnee. The Haverford Township girls were four points better than West Chester Henderson behind Julia Somers' 8th place 21:39.41. In Division II, New York's Pearl River placed four in the top 13 to tally just 52 points. St. Basil's Lynn Morelli took the individual title in 20:02.96. On the boys' side, New Jersey led a charge of top teams from the Garden State. Hunterdon Central went 1-2 in the Championship race, (Jon Fox, 16:12.59; Chris Pannone, 16:33.65), and totalled just 55 points, to hold off last week's upset winner over US #9 Salesianum, Council Rock North, by 31 points. Rival Mainland Central crushed their Division I opposiition behind Greg Hughes' 16:09.57 2, the best time of the day, and a new Division I record. Cross Country (soccer player) Eric Fleming of Bishop Shanahan, ran 16:29.61, the 3rd fastest time of the day. And in Divison II, Great Valley held off Holy Ghost Prep by a mere two points, 46 to 48, even though Bill Ferrence won the race for HGP with his 17:11.45. Ben Franczuszki, Great Valley, was 3rd in 17:24.29.