Grade 9 runners surprise at WECSSAA

by Mandy Matthews

A new cross-country runner has won the Windsor and Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association title and one school scored the top-four spots for midget boys.

Last spring, Zoe Sawchuck started running competitively. She ran a number of road races held at the Running Factory ranging from five-kilometres to ten-kilometres. On Oct. 18 she won the three-kilometre midget girls race representing Belle River District High School. The new school, Tecumseh Vista Academy made history when the four midget boys crossed the finish line one after another.

Officially, Sawchuck finished in 12 minutes and 22 seconds.

“My coach told me to start out stronger and pace myself,” said Sawchuck. “Then at the end just give it all you got.”

Although Sawchuck did not expect to be the front runner, she looks forward to the future. Her coach, Hannah Garton said she hopes to see her at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association event.

“It’s in her reach and we’ve talked about just taking our time over the next couple of years,” Garton said.

Tecumseh Vista Academy dominated the midget boys’ 5 km race with a top-four finish. Mitchell Ubene won in 17 minutes and 53 seconds, followed by teammates Jonathan Taylor, David Collins and Nicholas Orshinsky.

“We always try to stick together,” said Ubene.

The Vortex teammates said they feed off each other’s energy and always push each other one-step further.

Kingsville’s Ryan Sleiman gave up his lead in the middle of the race to tie his shoe but still managed to win by just over two minutes from the rest of the pack.

“I knew what I wanted to do,” said Sleiman. “I went out and executed it.”

Sleiman said he was looking for a record time, but was still satisfied and is looking towards running in nationals at the end of November.