It almost felt like a victory lap for Manny Diaz.
On his Senior Night, Diaz distanced himself from his competition and made quick work of his home course. On his way up the knoll that completes the cross country circuit at George G. Blaisdell Elementary, he even had time for a celebratory high-five.
Diaz cruised the Bradford course in an even 17:00, topping the five Punxsutawney runners that followed him and beating runner-up Evan Groce by 52 seconds. In his last home meet, Diaz looked poised to make a run at not just a District 9 title, but a state title, as well.
“The course was pretty muddy, so (17:00) was a respectable time,” Bradford coach Tom Tessena said.
Bradford’s Joe Caruso broke a string of five-straight Punxsy finishers by placing seventh in 19:35. Kane’s Brayden Byham was eighth in 19:38, Punxsy’s Chris Setree was ninth in 19:51 and Bradford’s Marcus Terwilliger was 10th in 19:51. Neither Kane nor Bradford had complete teams, but Punxsy’s results spoke for themselves.
“Punxsy is always a first-class operation,” Tessena said. “They are well-coached, their guys know how to run and they like to compete.”
Danny Marasco finished 16th in 22:40 for the Owls, who will compete at the heralded McQuaid Invitational in Rochester, New York on Saturday.
The Fretz Middle School team remained undefeated, led by Evan Troisi’s first-place finish in 9:34 — the eighth-fastest time ever on the course.
Kadyn Tessena was second in 10:31, Evan Soto was third in 10:43 and Maverik Smith was fourth in 10:47. Owen Blauser was sixth in 11:46 and Eddie Youmans took 10th in 13:03. The junior high team will look to beat last year’s second-place finish at McQuaid.
