Sunday, October 31, 1999
La Salle's Padgett, St. X win regional cross country
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TROY, Ohio — The wake-up call was delivered to defending Division I state champion St. Xavier two weeks ago at the Greater Catholic League cross country meet.
“We got together and agreed that we were worrying too much about everybody else,” senior Joe O'Brien said. “Finishing third in the league woke us up, and we're now more focused.”
Led by Andy Weitmarschen's eighth-place finish, the Bombers easily won the Division I regional championship Saturday at Troy Memorial Stadium.
LaSalle senior Steve Padgett won the event, covering 3.1 miles in 15:29. The Lancers placed second in the team standings, with Elder third and Moeller fourth.
Each of St. Xavier's top five runners finished 29th or better. Although this will be the Bombers' 13th consecutive trip to the state meet, it is their first regional title.
“Today we ran as a pack, as opposed to running like ducks in a row at the league meet,” St. Xavier coach Larry Merkel said.
Weitmarschen was exhausted and unable to talk after the race.
“Andy threw up before the race and ran on guts today,” Merkel said. “But the key today was our 2-3-4 runners. The ones behind them also stepped up because they didn't want to let their buddies down.”
As expected, Padgett took the early lead, with Vandalia-Butler's David Abner, Lakota East's David Claunch and Colerain's Mason Ward within a stride.
“The first mile was too slow (4:55),” Padgett said. “I decided to take it out and try to open up a lead.”
Padgett gradually pulled away from the pack and won by 16 seconds over Abner (15:45). Claunch was third in 16:03.
“The heat was terrible today,” Padgett said. “It felt like it was 95 degrees rather than 75 degrees, and my mouth was dry. But I'm satisfied with my time and the race.”
Ward, who was sidelined four weeks ago with back problems, appeared recovered, but not in top shape.
“A week ago I thought was done for the season,” said Ward, who beat Padgett early in the season. “Some people think I'm not happy unless I win, which isn't true. Today I'm happy to be here and fourth place is great.”
The Lancers were undefeated until last week's district meet.
“We just started backing off on training this week,” LaSalle coach Frank Russo said. “Steve controlled the race and the rest of our guys, especially Pat Rischmann and Mike Robbins, stepped up.”
Senior Jason Krumpelbeck paced Elder, finishing 17th in 16:43.
Moeller, plagued by injuries early in the season, was led by seniors Kenny Dunbar (5th) and Pat Sullivan (28th).
In the Division II and III meets, no Cincinnati-area team qualified for the state meet. Individually, Jamie McCart (New Richmond) and Jake Rich ards (Ross) advanced in Division II, and Kevin Hall (Middletown Madison) moving on in Division III.
Cincinnati boys cross country results
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