Local Sports

Salem girls net state berth

BOARDMAN -- A sixth straight state berth was the only thing the Salem girls cross country team was thinking about Saturday afternoon.

The Salem girls soccer team was playing for a district championship at the same time and was missing four players who were running at the cross country regional meet at Boardman High School.

"Before the race, I was wishing them luck (by text)," said Salem sophomore Chaya Murray, also the soccer team's leader scorer. "Then I said, 'We have to race and will check on them later.'"

The Quakers cross country team had better news, finishing sixth out of 32 Division III girls teams with 173 points.

"We were very excited they were able to run," Salem senior Cassidy Wallace said. "They did a great job Tuesday (at soccer). We were glad they were here today."

Sophomore Addison Hopple paced the Quakers by placing 10th out of 261 runners, covering the 3.1-mile course in 19 minutes, 22.8 seconds.

Junior Liliana Pimentel Alexander was 20th in a personal-best 19:57.2.

Also guiding the Quakers were senior Emily Sinsley in 40th, Murray in 50th, Wallace in 58th, senior Chloe Webber in 102nd and freshman Ali Herold in 125th.

The top eight teams and top 16 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the state meet, which will be held Saturday at Fortress Obetz.

"The boys and girls teams, I think 1 through 5, we can run with anyone in the state," Salem coach Ted Yuhaniak said. "I want to see how they stack up with the best in the state."

Salem school officials requested the soccer match be played later, but that was denied.

"We knew it might happen and were upset," Murray said. "(The soccer teammates) were devastated.

"With cross country being their primary (sport), they were going to be here," Yuhaniak said. "You feel bad for both programs."

Murray, Sinsley, Hopple and Herold are also soccer players.

"The four I have, they all are hard workers," Yuhaniak said.

"It was sad, but we did our own thing," Murray said.

"We knew we were going to have to show up anyway and do the best we can," Wallace said.

The only other Columbiana County team to qualify for the state cross country meet six years in a row was the Salem boys from 1928-33.

"I knew they could do it with their leadership," Yuhaniak sid.

"This is what we worked for," Wallace said. "It's very exciting. Going every year is such an experience every time."

Wallace' is the only current Quaker to compete at state all four years.

"There are a lot of amazing teams," Wallace said. "It's the best of the best."

She admits it will be bittersweet.

"I'm going to enjoy the last race with my teammates," Wallace said. "I'm very sad, but it will be exciting."

MEET NOTES

• This is the first time the Salem boys and girls teams both reached state in the same season since 2005, when the Quakers swept the state titles.

"I'm happy and proud for them," Yuhaniak said.

• The Columbiana girls were without one of their top runners, junior Sidney Schlueter. She was out with an injury after finishing ninth at the Canton district meet last week.

• The Salem boys will be running at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Salem girls at 1:40 p.m.