By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO – September 17, 2004 – Tri-Valley’s Jeremy Mathson pulled away from the pack at the far turn to sprint fiercely to victory in the 3-mile race at the Town of Thompson Park in Monticello on Tuesday.
Mathson sat right behind Eldred’s Kirean Pierce, who led most of the way, until the runners reached the stretch run.
Mathson opened up a serious late kick that left his opponents in the dust. He finished a full 8 seconds ahead of the next runner, with a time of 17:23.
Minisink Valley’s Mike Blake barely edged out Pierce, in a thrilling stretch duel. Further back was Port Jervis’s Scott Deckacz, who finished 4 seconds back at 17:36. Middletown’s Scott Dickover, who was also close to the pace most of the race, finished back at 17:39. It was another 22 seconds to the sixth place finisher.
Tri-Valley finished one-two in the girls competition. Courtney Roosa unleashed a huge late run to break away from the pace and complete the course in 21:16, a full 20 seconds ahead of her teammate Rachel Sanborn. The two were among five runners bunched up together for most of the race, right up until the last minute.
Monticello’s Kayla Gager finished third at 21:41, 7 seconds ahead of fourth place finisher Middletown’s Melissa Cruz. Liberty’s Kim McKay also finished strong at 21:51.
Boys’ final times for the 3 mile run:
1. Jeremy Mathson, Tri-Valley, 17:23
2. Mike Blake, Minisink Valley, 17:31
3. Kirean Pierce, Eldred, 17:32
4. Scott Deckacz, Port Jervis, 17:36
5. Scott Dickover, Middletown, 17:39
6. Derek Smith, Tri-Valley, 18:01
7. Jesus Sanchez, Middletown, 18:07
8. Jim Zulstra, Port Jervis, 18:18
9. Brendon Devine, Monticello, 18:28
10. Omar Acevedo, Middletown, 18:35
11. Corey Price, Monticello, 18:41
12. Michael Kaplan, Tri-Valley, 18:42
13. Ernie Guardarramas, Middletown, 18:51
14. Steve Lopez, Middletown, 18:52
15. Catlan Sardina, Eldred, 19:04
Girls’ race results:
1. Courtney Roosa, Tri-Valley, 21:16
2. Rachel Sanborn, Tri-Valley, 21:36
3. Kayla Gager, Monticello, 21:41
4. Melissa Cruz, Middletown, 21:48
5. Kim McKay, Liberty, 21:51
6. Rachel Bowens, Monticello, 22:04
7. Erin Bach, Tri-Valley, 22:06
8. Casey Rogers, Minisink Valley, 22:34
9. Maggie Snyder, Eldred, 23:08
10. Emily Atlas, Minisink Valley, 23:31
11. Sarah Merusl, Port Jervis, 23:41
12. Kim Striefler, Port Jervis, 23:47
13. Kim DelGotto, Monticello, 24:15
14. Jen Kirk, Port Jervis, 24:18
15. Tatyana Dreger, Middletown, 24:58