Raffertys lead Lakewood cross country to twin titles
PATASKALA — Corey Rafferty did not need any help pacing on Saturday.
The Lakewood senior was on a mission. Rafferty led wire to wire at Watkins Memorial, running a time of 15:59.7 to win the Licking County League championship.
"The last couple meets there's been some pretty good competition, but I have been going out in the front every time," Rafferty said. "I was shooting for sub-16, so I figured I had to take it out pretty fast. My confidence was pretty high going into it."
What Rafferty saw when he turned around after he crossed the finish line made him even happier. His twin brother Caleb passed Granville senior Eli Kretchmar down the stretch to take runner-up in 16:23.5.
The Rafferty twins led Lakewood to a repeat championship in the Cardinal Division.
"It feels amazing. It's cool to go 1-2," Caleb Rafferty said. He and his brother were joined by seniors Ryan Byers 14th (17:30.9) and Ashton Spaysky 21st (17:49.3) and a third brother junior Jacob Rafferty 38th (18:29.0).
"I thought I could do it, and I saw an opening in the race so I just went for it," Caleb Rafferty added.
Kretchmar finished third overall (16:25.0) to take the Buckeye Division title, and the Blue Aces were repeat champs, too. Granville and Lakewood continued the theme on the girls side also going back to back in their respective divisions.
The district meet is ahead at Hilliard Darby next week on a flat course known for fast times. The competition on Saturday provided a springboard into the postseason.
"The hard work we have put in over the whole season really pays off," Kretchmar said. "Me and my teammate Lane Hannahs, we've been running together all season. We've push each other every race. It's really nice having him behind my back pushing me along."
Granville senior Zoee Lehman was cruising toward the individual title in the girls race, but she heard familiar steps behind her.
Lehman crossed in a time of 18:38.1. Classmate Ella Johnson was right behind at 18:44.0 to take runner-up.
"I'm happy (Johnson) was behind me the whole time," Lehman said. "I heard, 'Go Zoee. Go Ella.' It relieved me she was really close to me."
The only hotly-contested team race saw the Lakewood girls defend its Cardinal title, totaling 42 points, just ahead of Northridge’s 46.
Senior Addison Pound placed 13th overall (20:18.2) to lead the Lancers. Freshman Molly Jones was not far behind in 15th (20:51.8), and the Lancers received strong showings from sophomore Olivia O’Neill 20th (21:56.8), senior Landry Driskel 25th (22:28.8) and sophomore Allie Taylor 33rd (23:00.2) throughout the varsity roster.
"We have a lot of younger girls, a lot of sophomores and a couple freshmen, and we have been working really hard," Pound said. "We knew we had to push ourselves this race. The girls on the team have been running well throughout, but today, we knew we had to push it. We had to work together as a team and do our best."
Watkins junior Scarlett Loevenguth took third overall in the girls race (19:10.9).
"It's really exciting to be able to do it," Loevenguth said. "I've worked so hard all season trying to get here. I was having a mental block, but now I'm achieving what I wanted to. ... Maybe 18s if it's there (next week). That would be really exciting."
Granville junior Kara Bergeron fourth (19:25.1) and senior Lillian Eckels fifth (19:38.3) were next. Johnstown junior Reece Savage, continuing her return from injury, placed sixth (19:39.4) to win the Cardinal individual title for the third consecutive season.
"Lilly Eckels, I was running with her a lot, and usually we don't get to run together at many meets so I was glad to have her there to push me," Savage said. "I am getting a little more confidence now. I am hoping to get to 19 flat by the end of the season."
Watkins sophomore Emily Whitmer seventh (19:41.0), Licking Heights freshman Addison Caudill eighth (19:46.0), Granville sophomore Sophia Poling ninth (19:53.6) and Utica freshman Camryn Baker 10th (19:56.9) were next.
Heath junior Tucker See placed fourth (16:35.5) with Granville sophomores Hannahs fifth (16:43.8) and Cohen Stump sixth (16:45.4).
"It feels good," See said. "I ran 16:10 last week, but it was probably a shorter course. We are going to take this and run with it into districts."
Johnstown junior Brenden Ball seventh (16:59.8), Watkins junior Adam Brazier eighth (17:04.2), Granville senior Andrew Harms ninth (17:08.1) and Northridge junior Braden Yutzy 10th (17:11.7) were next. Junior Owen Kirkham 13th (17:25.9) rounded out the scoring for the Buckeye champion Blue Aces.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Raffertys lead Lakewood Lancers cross country to twin titles
