134 runners qualify for Striders Summer Racing Series

The 28th Seashore Striders Summer Racing Series is in the books. Runners took part in 13 events – 11 5K events and two five-mile events – and they earned points based on their age-group finish.

From the Masser 5-Miler in late May to the Run for the Paws 5K in early August, a total of 134 runners qualified for the series.

Several age groups came down to the final race, and a few even ended up tied after 13 events. A very exciting summer series it was.

9 & U

On the female side, Maya Yngve, 9, took the title as the only qualifier, completing six races for 13 points in the division. No male runners qualified in this division.

10-13

Olivia Montini, 13, won a few overall titles while completing eight races totaling six points for her win. First-year runner Lily “Tiger” Noonan grabbed second place with a total of 12 points.

Bennett Brumbley won his age group with six points, while Joseph Best was second with 19 points.

14-19

D.J. Farren, 15, of Wilmington completed six races and totaled 10 points for the win. No female runners qualified in this division. 

20-24

Rebekah Yanacek totaled 15 points to win the age group, while Kelly Ryan was second with 21 points.

No male runners qualified in this division. 

25-29

Alyssa Welsh completed six races for 12 points, while Karen Zubrowski was second with 34 points.

Jonathan Zubrowski scored a perfect six points to win the age group, while Brandon Lewandowski finished second with 16 points. 

30-34

Kelly Tingle moved to the top of the list after the final race to win the age group with a perfect six points, while Cape physical education teacher Constance Bean took second with 16 points.

Francisco Puac qualified in the final event to score a perfect six points, while Sean Chambers finished with 31 points for second place.

35-39

Abby Andrews moved to the top of the list to win the age group with nine points, while Eugenija King finished second with 27 points. Heather Marvin was third with 34 points.  

Martin Rodriguez won the age group with a perfect six points, as he has also completed all 13 races, while Jeff Evans was second with 24 points.

40-44

Susan Dunn scored a perfect six points to capture first place, while Molly Sewell was second with 13 points and Amanda Alexander was third with 19 points.

For the men, Irish Eyes runner John Blackford scored an easy win with nine points over Breck Vanderwende, second with 22 points. Eric Smith was third with 36 points. 

45-49

In one of the closer races of the summer, Jen Perry won the age group with 10 points, while Becky Montini scored 11 points. Linda Stanley was third with 19 points.

On the men’s side, longtime runner Mike Sewell won the age group with six points, while Chris Stanley was second with eight points. Bill Pilkington was third with 17 points.

50-54

The wire-to-wire age group with two of the finest in the series, Jackie Quigley and Mardiny Ung each finished with seven points to tie. Karen Johnston was third with 20 points.

Paul Montini won the age group with a perfect six points over Clyde John Yanacek in second with 21 points and Dave Farren in third with 24 points. 

55-59

Lori Holdsworth and Margaret Colvin each finished with eight points after 13 races to share the title, while Nina Smeltzer scored 12 points for third place.  

Bill Holdsworth held off David Landis for the win with seven points, while Landis finished second with eight points. Tim Young was third with 12 points.

60-64

Jill Extract won the age group with eight points, while Cathy Haut was second with 14 points and Teri Moore was third with 19 points.

Ed Jordan qualified in the final race to rise to the top and win the age group with six points, while Brian Johnston finished second with eight points and Robert Fitzgerald was third with 13 points.

65-69

Dianna Golden scored a perfect six points to win the age group, while Mary Andrisani finished second with eight points and Nancy Brooks was third with 17 points.

Rick Poppleton won the age group with six points, while Rich Feinstein finished second with nine points. Woody Disharoon hung onto third with 15 points. 

70-74

JoAnn Szczepkowski with a perfect six points in the series won the title, while Eileen Wimsatt was second with 12 points and Georgette O’Cone finished third with 17 points.

Tim Abbott finished with a perfect six points to capture first place, while Jules Woodall was second with nine points. Brian Logan finished third with 16 points.

75-79

Sherri Wright was the lone qualifier, winning the age group with six points, while Wild Bill and Jim Batts each scored six points to tie for the lead on the men’s side. Jack Noel was third with 11 points. 

80+

Jamie Wollard was the lone qualifier, winning the age group with six points for the season, while for the men, state record holder Jack Huxtable won the age group with six points over John Neal in second with nine and Dr. Lee Masser third with 10 points.

Cross country chatter

The high school cross country season kicked off Aug. 15 with Henlopen Conference teams hitting the roads for the 12-week season. Cape Henlopen will be solid on both the girls’ and boys’ sides with a full varsity of talent on both teams. With All-Conference runner Olivia Brozefsky leading the charge, the Vikings have some nice returning runners in Taylor Johnson, Lindsey Rambo, Amaya and Aya Daisey, Carolyn Maull and Hadley Rhue. Newcomers who should break right into the top seven are Meredith Lockwood, Liz Melson and Mia Neubling. It should be an exciting season for the Cape girls.

The boys are a tight pack led early by Kolbe O’Donnell and C.R. transfer Sam Epstein. All-Conference runner Greg Boyce has apparently changed spikes and gone from cross country to football. Also look out for Bryan Ciabattoni, Owen Allen and John Di Stefano. 

Fire Fightin’ 5K

At 8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 19, the fourth annual Rehoboth Beach Fire Fightin’ 5K Run will be held, and if you are choosing a good race to support, this is the one.  The firefighters in the area are some of the busiest first responders, and they are always here for the Cape community. Let’s be there for them.  

Register online at seashorestriders.com through Friday at 6 p.m. Pick up your T-shirt and number at early packet pickup Saturday, Aug. 18, at the station on Rehoboth Avenue from 5 to 8 p.m. Race-day registration will begin at 7 a.m. See you on the starting line.