By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – The Bristol Central girls cross country team had one heck of a meet in its home opener on Tuesday afternoon as a welcome return to Rockwell Park paid off big time for the locals.
Central was a dual winner in Bristol, squaring up a 15-50 triumph over Lewis Mills and stunning rival Berlin 27-29 for the sweep.
On the flip side, the boys were able to fend off Berlin (19-44) but dropped a tough 21-40 decision to Mills.
The girls moved to 3-1 on the season while the boys remain at .500 (2-2 overall).
The meet was one of two bouts that will take place from Bristol Central’s home course this year.
On October 12, the annual city series bout takes place from right behind Muzzy Field (3:45 p.m.) at Rockwell in another no-miss event.
But back to the girls huge win over Berlin, led by several clutch finishes from those athletes from the school on the hill.
Sophia Stark was tremendous over a loaded field, placing third overall with a time of 24:23 while one spot later, teammate Katie Tran (24:30) crossed the finish line for fourth place to give the Rams an early edge in the scoring column.
Central’s Emersyn Mazzei (25:13) nabbed sixth place and Kazimiera Cavallari (25:46) earned seventh as four runners from Central had completed the course to the point of the showdown.
And Johannie Juarez (13th, 27:32) finished strongly for Central as the senior helped the Rams earn the sweep against two quality CCC South foes.
“[The] girls won both beating Berlin for the first time in recent history,” said Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk. “It was awesome!”
The boys battled a very good Lewis Mills squad and even though the team dropped a tough one, the winner of the race was a familiar senior standout from Central.
Patrick Wininger took first place with zest, crossing the line in 18:14 which was twenty-eight seconds better than the runner-up from Lewis Mills.
“Patrick Wininger continues to impress on the boys side,” said Stafford-Kirk.
Zach Barth took second in 18:42 but the Spartans took three of the next four spots to take command of the race.
Central’s Noah Pellerin (20:15) made a credible seventh place finish while Nicola DiMatteo (13th, 21:58), Nathan Pellerin (14th, 22:04) and Aiden Georgakopoulos (15th, 22:09) rounded out the day for the locals.
On the Horizon
The Rams will take part of the Harry Geraghty Invite on Friday, September 29 from Nevers Road Park at 4 p.m.
Bristol Central Boys Cross Country
from Rockwell Park, Bristol
Scores:
LEWIS MILLS 21, BRISTOL CENTRAL 40
BRISTOL CENTRAL 19, BERLIN 44
Winner: Patrick ‘Trick’ Wininger (Bristol Central), 18:14
Runner-Up: Zach Barth (Lewis Mills), 18:42
3. David Iacino (Lewis Mills), 18:42; 4. Ryan Pasqualini (Lewis Mills), 19:26; 5. Ryan Markey (Berlin), 19:46; 6. Charles Hedrick (Lewis Mills), 20:12; 7. Noah Pellerin (Bristol Central), 20:15; 8. Jonathan Curran (Lewis Mills), 20:42; 9. Alex Cavanna (Lewis Mills), 20:44; 10. Ryan Comeford (Lewis Mills), 20:45.
Other Bristol Central Finishers
13. Nicola DiMatteo , 21:58
14. Nathan Pellerin, 22:04
15. Aiden Georgakopoulos, 22:09
Bristol Central Girls Cross Country
from Rockwell Park, Bristol
Scores:
BRISTOL CENTRAL 15, LEWIS MILLS 50
BRISTOL CENTRAL 27, BERLIN 29
Winner: Natalia Kmita (Berlin), 22:55
Runner-Up: Ginny Mullen (Lewis Mills), 23:54
3. Sophia Stark (Bristol Central), 24:23; 4. Katie Tran (Bristol Central), 24:30; 5. Nadia Malec (Berlin), 24:54; 6. Emersyn Mazzei (Bristol Central), 25:13; 7. Kazimiera Cavallari (Bristol Central), 25:46; 8. Addison Guarino (Berlin), 27:11; 9. Brooklyn Johnson (Berlin), 27:13; 10. Victoria Vozvyshayeva (Berlin), 27:16.
Other Bristol Central Finishers
13. Johannie Juarez, 27:32
17. Ruth Smith, 29:05
21. Janelle Brand, 33:25
