Sports elsewhere in Columbiana County
East Palestine's Kelvington races to state
By RON FIRTH, Morning Journal Sports Editor
POSTED: November 1, 2009
BOARDMAN — Through wind and mud and rain, East Palestine senior Leighann Kelvington delivered a state berth Saturday.
She survived the elements and the competition Saturday to get out of regionals on her fourth and final trip.
“It feels really good,” Kelvington said. “It’s like I’m dreaming. I’ve been wanting this for four years.”
She was 13th out of 128 runners in the Division III girls race at Boardman High School. She covered the 3.1-mile course in 21 minutes, 33 seconds. No one was watching times on this day.
“I’m so happy,” Kelvington said. “It was really muddy and windy and cold.”
The top four teams and 16 individuals advance to the state cross country meet next Saturday at Scioto Downs south of Columbus.
Kelvington was holding onto 16th place with about 4 kilometers to go. She made a surge to climb into ninth and held on to the end.
“I always start off slower and pick it up,” she said. “I had to trust myself to pick up the pace and I did. The last 400 (meters) I was dead. I had nothing left.”
Lowellville senior Monica Ciarniello finished three places ahead for her fourth straight state berth.
Sometimes fans don’t understand what it takes to this far.
“My team does,” Kelvington said. “They’ve been with me all summer and fall. My coach and parents have been, too.”
She’s been to the state meet before to cheer on teammates Scott Wolfe and David Chick, who competed in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
“When I watched Scott race at state, that was my goal,” Kelvington said. “I’ve been wanting it ever since. I’m glad I made it.”
Meet notes
• In the Division III girls team standings,South Range was13th with 294 points and Lisbon was 16th with 357.
For the Raiders, sophomore Emily Rast was 26th, freshman Monica Patrick 60th, junior Brooke Fusco 73rd, Taylor Shutler 93rd, senior Katie Stewart 101st, freshman Carly Siclari 115th and junior Katie Stanwood 120th.
For the Blue Devils, junior Leanna Rudibaugh was 76th, freshman Pamela Pierce 80th, freshman Katy Crismon 90th, junior Jessica Thompson 92nd, junior Rachell DeBray 102nd, senior Carlie Bosel 119th and junior Brittany Green 126th.
• See Sunday's Morning Journal for more on the regional cross country meet.
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