Tri State
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Kasprowicz cruises to convincing Mountaintop Combo win
By Kevin Spradlin
Tristaterunnur.com
KINGWOOD, W.Va. – Keri Bland. Rachel Buser. Ari Kasprowicz just might out do them both.
Kasprowicz cruised to yet another unchallenged victory on Saturday in the girls varsity race of the Mountaintop Combo, run on the Preston harrier’s home course at Preston High School.
By Kevin Spradlin
Tristaterunnur.com
KINGWOOD, W.Va. – Keri Bland. Rachel Buser. Ari Kasprowicz just might out do them both.
Kasprowicz cruised to yet another unchallenged victory on Saturday in the girls varsity race of the Mountaintop Combo, run on the Preston harrier’s home course at Preston High School.
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Whereas Jefferson senior Cory Hampshire took the lead for good in the boys race with just over a half-mile to go, Kasprowicz ran from the front after about 600 meters and never looked back. She didn’t need to, and the college-bound senior finished in a meet record time of 19 minutes, 5.75 seconds and outdistanced runner-up Courtney Yeager, of Wheeling Park, by 40 seconds.
Hurricane junior Alex Dent was third in 19:54.34, holding off Morgantown senior Allison Pettit (20:02.97).
Hurricane junior Alex Dent was third in 19:54.34, holding off Morgantown senior Allison Pettit (20:02.97).
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Kasprowicz eeked under the old meet standard of 19:07 set by former Berkeley Springs standout Rachel Buser. And Kasprowicz appeared genuinely surprised after crossing the finish line.
“I’m extremely happy and surprised,” Kasprowicz said. “This is amazing.”
She said she gets nervous before a big race when facing stiff competition and feels the “nerve-wracking” conditions before toeing the starting line. Still, she's a favorite to be the third Paul Martin-coached individual state high school champion this November.
Fans didn’t appear startled that Kasprowicz jumped out to an early lead – and continued to build that lead through the race. Preston Coach Paul Martin called her solo effort “phenomenal,” adding that he never once told his No. 1 runner how much of a lead she had – or how close she was to record pace.
Hurricane won the girls team title with 7 2points, followed by University (92) and Morgantown (122). Jefferson was fourth among the 20-team field with 146 points, edging fifth-place Hampshire (147).
“I’m extremely happy and surprised,” Kasprowicz said. “This is amazing.”
She said she gets nervous before a big race when facing stiff competition and feels the “nerve-wracking” conditions before toeing the starting line. Still, she's a favorite to be the third Paul Martin-coached individual state high school champion this November.
Fans didn’t appear startled that Kasprowicz jumped out to an early lead – and continued to build that lead through the race. Preston Coach Paul Martin called her solo effort “phenomenal,” adding that he never once told his No. 1 runner how much of a lead she had – or how close she was to record pace.
Hurricane won the girls team title with 7 2points, followed by University (92) and Morgantown (122). Jefferson was fourth among the 20-team field with 146 points, edging fifth-place Hampshire (147).