Fimmano's win gives Dallastown girls a share of cross country title; Red Lion boys win too
Dallastown sophomore Lydia Fimmano might have had the race of her young career on Tuesday afternoon at John C. Rudy County Park, and it was enough to help carry the Wildcats girls' cross country team to a share of the YAIAA Division I championship.
Fimmano placed first overall in the girls' meet, and Dallastown took four of the first seven spots to sweep previously unbeaten rivals Red Lion and Central York, along with Spring Grove.
Click here to see a slideshow of more photos from Tuesday's meet
"Lydia found her race," said Dallastown coach Mark Noll. "I would call her a little hesitant up to now. Running in the pack. But in the second half of the race (Tuesday), she took up the challenge and moved up with (Isabella Wise)."
After an early-season loss to South Western, Dallastown ended up sharing the crown with Red Lion, which defeated the Panthers and Rockets on Tuesday.
"To come out on top is really satisfying," Noll said. "We fought through a lot this year. We just had a group willing to work and willing to step up when the time comes."
Video: YAIAA Division I girls' cross country race highlights
The Red Lion boys' team captured the Division I title with a sweep of Dallastown, Spring Grove and Central York. The Lions eked out a one-point victory over previously unbeaten Dallastown, while the Wildcats edged previously unbeaten Central York by a point.
"Division I is so tight and so competitive," said Red Lion coach Nate Stetter. "We just had to run the race to see how it would shake out. It was great to see them come through."
Fimmano, who normally runs at No. 3 or No. 4 for Dallastown, was called upon to step up after the Wildcats' top runner, Haley Brown, missed the meet with a sinus infection.
Running near the front with sophomore teammate Wise, Fimmano shaved a minute and seven seconds off her time in the Oct. 1 meet at York Suburban to win in 20:56. Wise, who missed the last flag on the course and had to double back, finished at 21:00 while Sarah Groetz placed fourth overall in 21:17.
"I felt really good," Fimmano said. "I just wanted to keep up with Bella and push her too. I was just focused on Bella and I finishing together and getting a good time. It was probably 10 or 15 seconds better than I've ever run."
Fimmano and Wise passed early leader Paige Hartman of Central York during the second mile. Hartman placed third overall in 21:15.
"At the beginning, I was okay to just stay with the Central girl," Wise said. "We kept pushing and passed her towards the third mile. We could sense she was tiring a bit."
The Red Lion boys were buoyed by a 2-3 overall finish from Micah Bodish and Alex Miller, while Cameron George finished seventh and Joel Gatchell eighth. Those four were 39 seconds apart.
"We told them every place matters," Stetter said. "You never know how things are going to shake out or fall."
Patrick Jacobson of Dallastown was the top boys' finisher, covering the course in 17:07 and winning by 15 seconds over Bodish.
Video: YAIAA Division I boys' cross country race highlights
Boys'
3.1 miles at Central York (John Rudy Park)
Red Lion 23, Central York 33 Dallastown 27, Central York 28 Central York 28, Spring Grove 31 Red Lion 28, Spring Grove 29 Red Lion 20, Spring Grove 37 Dallastown 25, Spring Grove 34
1. Patrick Jacobson, Dt, 17:07; 2. Micah Bodish, RL, 17:23; 3. Alex Miller, RL, 17:28; 4. Jordan Maldonado, SG, 17:38; 5. Bryce Gable, Dt, 17:42; 6. Timmy Buzynski, CY, 17:43; 7. Cameron George, RL, 17:45; 8. Joel Gatchell, RL, 18:02; 9. Tristan Smyser, SG, 18:03; 10. Justin Culp, SG, 18:15; 11. Jared Hicks, CY, 18;22; 12. Jacob Montgomery, CY, 18:23; 13. Cole Harris, CY, 18:29; 14. John Zardus, Dt, 18:44; 15. Jake Menchey, Dt, 18:46; 16. Daniel Stayer, Dt, 18:51; 17. Austin McQuaide, CY, 19:01; 21. Ryan Hatterer, RL, 19:24; 23. Ben Smith, SG, 19:39; 27. Richard Drake, SG, 19:54.
Girls'
Red Lion 27, Central York 30 Dallastown 24, Central York 32 Central York 15, Spring Grove 50 Dallastown 23, Red Lion 34 Red Lion 15, Spring Grove 50 Dallastown 15, Spring Grove 50
1. Lydia Fimmano, Dt, 20:56; 2. Isabella Wise, Dt, 21:00; 3. Paige Hartman, CY, 21:15; 4. Sarah Groetz, Dt, 21:17; 5. Tristan Schluderberg, RL, 21:22; 6. Camryn Sopko, CY, 21:27; 7. Danielle Dubois, Dt, 21:34; 8. Leah Taylor, RL, 21:35; 9. Bryn Trout, RL, 21:41; 10. Haley Pfefferkorn, CY, 21:53; 11. Kate Baker, RL, 22:09; 12. Bridget Palm, CY, 22:13; 13. Kate Gatchell, RL, 22:24; 16. Amanda Loeffelholz, CY, 22:42; 18. Alexis DeSanti, Dt, 23:00; 36. Marissa Landaverde, SG, 27:24; 39. Jordyn Miller, SG, 28:42; 40. Kyra Smith, SG, 28:44; 41. Sarah Gardner, SG, 28:49; 45. Andrea Smiley, SG, 30:01.