BY ED WRIGHT
Sept. 11, 2010, 3:55 p.m.
The pack is back.
Salem's pack style of running proved to be ultra-successful at
Saturday's KLAA Invitational at Willow Metropark in New Boston.
Led by freshman Kayla Kavulich's sixth-place showing, Shannon
Flynn and Victoria Tripp's solid 12th- and 14th-place efforts,
respectively, and a group of six who finished in places 24th through
29th, the Rocks compiled just 81 points to top the 11-team field.
Canton, which was missing two of its top five runners, placed
seventh.
(To view a video clip of Saturday's race, click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAXjRuN7ILA
"I wasn't happy with our start; we got boxed in a little bit and
that's key for us because we like moving up early and being in a
position to succeed," said Salem coach Dave Gerlach. "After the first
mile, our splits were O.K., but we really had to use a lot of energy in
the middle mile. Several girls ran negatives from the middle mile to
the first to get themselves back up.
"Overall, I'm very happy with the girls' effort. This is one of
the most competitive teams I've ever had. They want to do well and they
have high hopes for the end of the year. To start out with a victory in
our first meet is encouraging."
Canton was paced by senior captain Bianca Kubicki, who placed
10th in 19:39.07. Emily Southern also excelled for the Chiefs, earning
a 20th-place finish.
"I thought the girls that were here ran well," said Canton coach
Eric Pahl. "We were missing two of our top five runners, but it is what
it is. We had a couple PR's already, which is nice to see. We still
have a lot of learning to do and a lot of teaching to do."
Walled Lake Western's Lindsay broke the tape first with a fine
18:14.24 clocking. She finished 33 seconds ahead of runner-up Megan
McPherson.
Rounding out the top five were Hartland's Anna Pasternak
(19:01.69), Novi's Jackie Mullins (19:03.69) and Western's Julia
Valencia (19:09.15).
Livonia Franklin placed second in the team standings with 101
points, six points ahead of third-place Livonia Churchill. Novi (109)
was fourth and Brighton (111) was fifth.
The Chiefs finished with 139 points.
The Rocks' pack of 24th- through 29th-place runners were Autumn
Burin (20:41.18), Kara Booms (20:43.11), Emily Bizon (20:45.76),
Madison Goodpasture (20:46.49), Alejandra Beltran (20:53.68) and
Adrianna Beltran (20:56.61).
In addition to Kubicki and Southern, Canton's top seven included
Abigail Gorzalski (33rd in 21:06.17), Jessica Siegler (40th in
21:34.93), Allison Spitz (48th in 22:01.70), Katie Grimes (53rd in
22:10.74) and Chelsea Smith (83rd in 23:21.42).
Ed Wright
can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.
The Chiefs and Rocks are pictured at the
starting line. (Ed Wright photo)
Salem's
Shannon Flynn (left) placed 12th. (Ed Wright photo)
Canton's Emily Southern placed 17th.
(Ed Wright photo)
The
Rocks pose with their championship plaque.
