Wakefield cross country
Despite battling a recent injury, Wakefield's Rob Bailey put together an impressive race Thursday, Sept. 24, finishing third in the Wolverines' cross country meet against WF-R.
Wakefield XC takes two from WF-R
As Wakefield cross country runner Michael Mondou closed in on the finish line — on the heels of Connor Richey, and ahead of Stephen Taperek — during Thursday's dual meet against Wake Forest-Rolesville, head coach Wayne Dubnansky shouted out exuberantly "You guys have won the race for us!"
Asked if he remembered the moment the day after Wakefield's 25-34 win, Dubnansky said he did, and again commended the entire boys' squad for an outstanding — and unexpected — performance.
Entering the meet, the coach predicted Wake Forest-Rolesville, just a few days removed from an outstanding showing at the Wolfpack Invitational, to defeat his Wolverines.
But the squad put together one of its best dual meets in his tenure, Dubnansky said. "I really didn't expect this, but it's absolutely great for us."
Wakefield's Blake Watkins set the tone early, capturing first with a time of 21:37.
Dubnansky said Watkins' finish was more than a minute faster than his previous best on the challenging course at B.W. Wells Campground outside of Wake Forest.
Another Wolverine surprise was Rob Bailey, who is coming back from an injury, yet finished third with a time of 22:35.
"I really didn't expect Rob to do what he did," Dubnansky said. "But he just has this natural ability."
Wake Forest-Rolesville took three of the top five spots, but a strong second pack of Wakefield runners sealed the victory.
Cameron Stevens (23:55), Evan Kirk (23:59), Richey (24:03), Mondou (24:18), Taperek (24:37) and Michael Watkins (24:51) captured spots six through 11 in impressive fashion.
Wakefield's Devon Enderle (second from left) was all smiles at the start of Thursday's race.
Not to be overlooked, the Wakefield girls were equally stellar, holding down eight of the Top 10 spots in their race, and clinching a 15-49 victory.
The Lady Wolverines' dominance began with Devon Enderle (26:32) and Alex Wells (26:34), who finished first and second, respectively.
And not far behind was Kayla Engel (26:58), grabbing third place.
Wakefield's Natalie Della Valle (27:44), Ellen McAlexander (28:08) and Dominique Grasso (28:13) took fourth, fifth and sixth places as well.
WF-R's Tara Komlo placed seventh to break the Lady Wolverines' run, but Michaela Birek (29:17) and Cassie Casbarro (29:27) raced in to take eighth and ninth.
"You know, I expected out girls to win this race, but they still impressed me with how we did," Dubnansky said.
It appears Wakefield is developing a home-course advantage at the B.W. Wells location, which includes 14 hills, and can be quite daunting to a first-time runner.
Wakefield travels to Enloe Wednesday, Sept. 30, and hosts Broughton Oct. 7.
The Wolverines visit Wake Forest-Rolesville at Flaherty Park in Wake Forest Oct. 14. Leesville Road is expected to compete as well.
Boys Results
Wakefield 25
Wake Forest-Rolesville 34
1. Blake Watkins wake 21:37
2. Scott Holden wfr 22:31
3. Rob Bailey wake 22:35
4. Nathan Weber wfr 23:14
5. Andrew Finegan wfr 23:37
6. Cameron Stevens wake 23:55
7. Evan Kirk wake 23:59
8. Connor Richey wake 24:03
9. Michael Mondou wake 24:18
10. Stephen Taperek wake 24:37
11. Michael Watkins wake 24:51
12. Chris Asbell wfr 25:17
13. Michael Franchi wake 25:19
14. Dean Finley wake 25:30
15. Zach Koehler wake 25:45
16. Martin Mondou wake 25:48
17. Matthew Brown wfr 26:09
18. Sam Ray wake 26:24
19. Joey Varner wfr 27:05
20. Matthew Vest wfr 27:06
21. Jake Coats wfr 27:09
22. George Stiak wake 27:53
23. Doug Pate wfr 27:54
24. Bryce Readmond wake 27:57
25. Ward McChristian wake 28:00
26. Gary Hutchins wfr 28:09
27. Keith McChristian wake 28:12
28. Cory Dunning wfr 28:15
29. Alex Sanchez wfr 28:17
30. Brandon Prickett wake 29:33
31. Viggy Kumaresan wake 29:41
32. James McDonald wfr 30:00
33. Tyler Chestnutt wake 30:00
34. Sean Hennessey wake 31:45
35. Andrew Sherman wake 32:37
36. Zach GOldberger wake 37:35
37. Alex Moss wfr 38:25
Girls results
Wakefield 15
Wake Forest/Rolesville 49
1. Devon Enderle wake 26::32
2. Alex Wells wake 26:34
3. Kayla Engel wake 26:58
4. Natalie Della Valle wake 27:44
5. Ellen McAlexander wake 28:08
6. Dominique Grasso wake 28:13
7. Tara Komlo wfr 28:37
8. Michaela Birek wake 29:17
9. Cassie Casbarro wake 29:27
10. Lauren Cannady wfr 29:49
11. Charis Yimbu wfr 31:14
12. Julie Mondou wake 31:15
13. Abbey Lindsey wfr 31:44
14. Emily Fichera wfr 31:54
15. Brittany Norris wake 32:35
16. Marryn Danku wfr 34:06
17. Laura Messina wake 34:33
18. Jasmine Bradford wfr 35:13
19. Hannah Hribar wake 35:28
20. Emmie Crabtree wfr 38:35
21. Lindsey Vandenbroeck wake 44:45
22. Maisie Mullin wake 44:59
