RUNNER OF THE YEAR Billy Dennison Mentor, senior Consistency was key for Dennison in his final campaign for the Cardinals. He already has the school’s fastest time, so this year the senior focused on helping the development of the team around him. Several runners on the Mentor roster had huge jumps from the past few seasons, and he leaves the team in very capable hands to continue improving. Dennison won the GCC meet with two other podiums as well at the Mentor Cardinal Classic and the Division I district. He also recorded top 10s in all but one race before the state meet, where he finished 32nd, just short of All-Ohio honors. His fastest time of the year was a 15:39.22. COACH OF THE YEAR Chris Farroni, Chagrin Falls Under Farroni’s guidance, led the Tigers to their first team bid since 2013 and helped push the team’s mental toughness to the next level. Chagrin Falls took home three team championships, which included a two-point win over Maplewood at the U Wanna Come Back Invitational. The Tigers were also a point away from taking the team title at the Cardinal Invitational. The team had seven finishes in the season and took the last team spot for the Division II state meet. The Tigers proved at Boardman that even on their worst days, their No. 1 runner ran the last 2.1 miles with one shoe and an injury, their number two had an off race among other things. But the back half of the order also had a strong finish. FIRST TEAM (in alphabetical order) Owen Bottar, Jr., Madison Broke onto the scene in a big way, emerging as the Blue Streaks’ No. 1 runner. Had three top fives, six top 10s and a best of third at CVC Lake. Division II regional qualifier with a best time of 16:27.81. Kelan Byrne, So., Chagrin Falls Became a strong No. 2 runner for the Tigers. Had two podiums, four top fives all in a row, five top 10s and a best of second at CVC Chagrin. D-II state qualifier (86th at state) with a best time of 16:00.12. Michael Maynard, Jr., Mentor A very strong third for the Cardinals this season, leading the chase pack behind Dennison and Penkowski. Four top 20s with a best of seventh at GCC. D-I state qualifier (115th) with a best time of 16:17.41. Tommy Mooney, Sr., Chagrin Falls Made a very strong jump for the Tigers this season as the No. 1. Recorded a pair of wins at Madison and CVC Chagrin, five top fives, six top 10s and a worst finish of 24th. Led the charge at regional for the team bid at state, despite losing a shoe in the first mile. Missed D-II state meet with a foot injury but had a best time of 15:53.93. Caleb Nieset, Fr., Chardon Came into the No. 1 role for the Hilltoppers this season and handled the challenge well. Won the WRC meet, had four top fives, five top 10s and a worst of 30th before state. Qualified for the D-I state meet (96th) with a best time of 15:52.25. Jacob Nieset, Sr., Chardon Served as a strong runner for the Hilltoppers all year and a guide to his brother. Had one top five (Madison) and seven top 30s. Qualified for the D-I state meet (128th) with a best time of 15:55.63. Jack O’Neill, Sr., University Grew into the No. 1 for the Preppers this season, continuing his progress from last year. One top 10 (Madison) and five top 30s. D-I regional qualifier (77th) with a best time of 16:01.96. Matthew Penkowski, Jr., Mentor Broke out at the state meet with a 15:31.83, the fastest time in the area, to snag the area’s lone All-Ohio nod and a spot on the podium in 20th. Three top fives, four top 10s and a worst finish of 23rd on the year at the season opening meet at Riverside. Best was second at GCC. Owen Thomas, Fr., NDCL Emerged as a part of a young runners trio for the Lions this season. Recorded one podium (third at North Coast), two top fives, three top 10s and five top 20s. D-II state qualifier (53rd) with a best time of 16:09.30. Jacob Williams, Jr., West Geauga Took the reins of being the Wolverines’ No. 1 after being thrust into the role. Won the George Gross, had two other podiums with four top fives, six top 10s and a worst finish of 20th before the state meet. D-II state qualifier (73rd) with a best time of 16:20.77. SECOND TEAM Josh Calzada, Sr., Chardon: The catalyst to the Hilltoppers team state bid with his 20th at regional. Had a best of second at WRC with seven top 30s. D-I state qualifier (114th) with a best time of 16:00.82. Joey Ciavarelli, So., Kirtland: Had a big jump this season, qualifying for his first regional meet. Four straight top 40s to end the season with a best of sixth at CVC Valley. Was 38th at Division III regional with a best time of 17:23.53. Matthew Collins, So., Kenston: Had a strong run to end the season. Recorded two top 10s and four top 30s. Just missed the D-II state meet with a 33rd at regional with a best time of 16:29.90. Sam Gdovichin, Jr., Cardinal: A very up-and-down junior campaign with three top fives and seven top 20s. Finished 40th at D-III regional with a best time of 16:52.15. Zach Huey, Jr., Chagrin Falls: Sat behind Mooney and Byrne but made huge strides as the Tigers’ No. 3. Had one podium (third at CVC Chagrin), four top 10s and six top 25s. D-II state qualifier (87th) with a best time of 16:22.64. Quinn Macphail, So., University: Strong No. 2 for the Preppers, growing as the season went.  Posted three top 25s and just missed the D-I state meet (34th at regional). Best time of 16:21.98. Ethan Scott, Sr., South: Finally qualified for regional meet and broke 17 for the first time. Recorded two top 10s with a best of ninth at WRC, along with five top 30s. D-I Regional qualifier (108th) with a best time of 16:46.67. Donald Shymske, Sr., Geneva: Two-sport fall athlete, qualified for first regional meet. His best finish was seventh three times. Also had seven top 20s, D-II regional qualifier (77th) with a best time of 16:57.78. Junbo Wang, Jr., Beachwood: Took control of the top spot for the Bison. Won the Milt Peet Invitational with another podium. Five top 10s, eight top 30s with a best time of 16:42.77. Tim Zagar, Sr., Mayfield: Huge surge in the middle of the season to be the Wildcats’ No. 1. Posted four top 25s on the year with a best of fifth at WRC. D-I regional qualifier (92nd) with a best time of 16:47.72. THIRD TEAM Danny Auth, So., Berkshire: Led the charge for a young upstart Badgers team. Had five top 40s with a best of fifth at CVC Valley. Best time of 17:24.05. Henrik Burda, Sr., Beachwood: Strong year as one of the Bison’s front runners. Had seven top 30s with a best of fifth at George Gross. Best time of 17:09.19. Max Kollhoff, Sr., Madison: Grew into a good second runner for a state-ranked Blue Streak team. Three top 10s with a best of eighth at War on the Shore, five top 25s and a best time of 17:00.19. Jacob Kovalski, Sr., Kenston: A good second punch for the Bombers with three top 20s with a best of sixth at WRCs. Best time of 17:02.20. Logan Miller, Sr., Hawken: Consistent threat for the Hawks with four top 40s, including a best of 15th at CVC Chagrin. Best time of 17:14.70. Mason Panhorst, Fr., Lake Catholic: Handled the No. 1 role for a very young and impressive Cougars team. Five top 35s with a best of 16th at North Coast, just missed on D-II regional bid with a 31st at district. Best time of 17:19.63. Jovan Sanchez, Jr., Geneva: Made a major jump as the Eagles’ No. 2. Best finish of 10th (CVC Lake) with seven top 30s. D-II regional qualifier (99th) with a best time of 17:13.31. Jaswant Singh, Sr., Mayfield: A good second runner for the Wildcats with three top 30s with a best of eighth at WRC. Best time of 17:00.24. Dirck Van Tassel, Sr., Beachwood: Strong first-year runner for the Bison runner, which included four top 10s and five top 25s. Best finish of fifth at Medina and a best time of 17:08.50. Nathan Zanko, Fr., NDCL: Developed as the No. 2 behind Thomas. Had a best of 11th at D-II districts, with four top 35s and a best time of 16:45.42. HONOR ROLL Andrews Osborne: Shiven Patel, Beachwood: Alex Eisengart, Benedictine: Michael Grobelny, Berkshire: Will Slattery, Sirl Quinlan, Brush: Nathanael Marino, Cardinal: Tor Eastlake, Oliver Kumher, Chagrin Falls: Peter Mitchell, Chardon: Matthew Ghobrial, Euclid: Malik Hogan, Fairport: Brenden Patterson, Geneva: Aiden Palinkas, Gilmour: Jordan Shininger, Evan Lindley, Harvey: Gael Aranda, Hawken: Chase Levey, Luke Nelson, Kenston: Ronnie Fratoe, Kirtland: Ben Brandal, Lake Catholic: Calvin Dicello, Madison: Alex Kollhoff, Mayfield: Luke Hammond, Mentor: Shawn Castiglione, Ryan Olver, North: Matthew Dubnock, Jake Snyder, NDCL: Peter Bates, Perry: Nicolai Nagy, Landon Rusnak, Richmond Heights: Espandan Tamang, Riverside: Matt Spence, Sawyer D’Amico, South: Vince Catalano, Uiversity: Brennan Coley, VASJ: Jacob Ericksen, West Geauga: Joey Lubanovich, Wickliffe: Evan Krizner