Schwarzenberg, Paladino for the wins in WV Region 1 AAA scene

Race Timing

Maryland Timing

Event Management Services

Home Perf.Database Results Indoor Track Outdoor Track Cross Country Photos Calendar

tn_WVSSAC Region I AAA Championships 2175

tn_WVSSAC Region I AAA Championships 674

Schwarzenberg, Paladino for the wins in WV Region 1 AAA scene

Results Girls Boys Awards

By Nicole Lemal
Tristaterunnur.com
October 20, 2011

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Winds gusted at over 20 miles per hour, as runners charged out into the rain at White Day Golf Course for the Regional 1 AAA Championships. Mud had formed on the course, causing runners to slip and fall on Thursday afternoon.

tn_WVSSAC Region I AAA Championships 2205

tn_WVSSAC Region I AAA Championships 698

But out front in the boys' race was a runner whose stride seemed effortless and smooth, his face showing no signs of fatigue. Preston High School senior Peter Schwarzenberg extended his lead approximately half-ways through the race and led the Region 1 scene in 16:22.50.

"I was going for the win," Schwarzenberg said. "I felt pretty good. It's late in the season, so everyone's getting tired. For being this late in the season, I felt good."

'Good' was an understatement for his strong performance. His slight lead over the front pack lasted briefly before he decided to pick it up even more. By the time he came down the last downhill before surging up to the homestretch, there was no one near him.

In the meantime, he also led his team to a team title in 37 points ahead of second place University High (44) and Fairmont Senior (71).

"That was our goal for today, and our fifth runner (Timothy Funk) really pulled through," Schwarzenberg said. "He was predicted 28th and got 14th."

Preston junior and Region 1 AAA runner-up Brody Born was also an integral part of their team performance yesterday. Starting out in the back of the front pack, he settled into a rhythm that eventually brought him up behind Schwarzenberg.

"I was surprised," Born said. "I didn't think I'd do as well as I did. I knew Peter was going to, so I figured I'd be up there somewhere with him. But I knew Brown-Stobbe was going for it, and I knew Cameron (Greza) was going to be up there. Placing that high, I was actually really surprised."

Not to mention he wasn't even the least bit exhausted. Once he crossed the line and walked around for a few minutes, he comprehended how much he had really accomplished that day.

"To be able to come in second at a race like this at Regionals, to me, that's fantastic."

"Other people say, 'Oh, you got second,' but hell, I'll go with second," he laughed.

In the girls race it was no surprise to see University High sophomore Amelia Paladino out in front. A favorite all season, she pulled out a win when she wasn't feeling her best.

"It was pretty good," she said. "I think I might have a little bit of a cold, but it's nothing you can't run through."

In flawless fashion she took the lead after a while and separated herself from the rest of runners by a nearly 10 second gap.

"I think it's good to see how everyone around you is feeling too because you can tell how everyone is breathing and how they're running, so it's good to get a feel of that always," she said.

Morgantown High School freshman Victoria Cooke was the next runner to come through, finishing in 19:38.84. Leading the way for MHS put them at the top of their region with 39 points, just clinching a win over second place University High School (42). Preston snatched third with 64 points.

"It means a lot to me and the team as well," Cooke said. "We work pretty hard in practice and it's a good award to do as well as we do."

Qualified runners are now anxiously awaiting for the West Virginia State Cross Country Meet to be held next Saturday at Cabell Midland.

"I just hope I can pull this off at states," Paladino said. "With all of the training I have and how much I want it, I hope my team does, too because we've been training so hard."

Rounding out the top 10 runners in the girls race were: University High sophomore Abbey Harrison, Preston sophomore Kaitlyn Workman, North Marion junior Emma Harrison, Morgantown High junior Brynn Harshbarger, Morgantown High sophomore Sydney Pineault, Preston senior Racheal Hulett, Morgantown High sophomore Allison Lynch, and Fairmont Senior High School senior Alyssa Scherich.

University High senior Jordan Brown-Stobbe, Morgantown High junior Cameron Greza, East Fairmont junior William Hayes, Fairmont Senior High junior Nicholas Trefz, University High senior Patrick Wells, University High sophomore Andrew Paladino, Preston High senior Nicholas Robertson, and University High freshman Tristan Harvey clinched the top ten in the boys race.

*Congratulations to all state meet qualifiers. See you next Saturday down at Cabell Midland!*