District cross country: Pecoraro helps Avon to boys title

ELYRIA — It was a bit unscripted, but Blake Pecoraro was more than up to task as he ran the race of his life at Saturday’s Elyria Division I district cross country meet.
The Avon High senior won his first race since eighth grade as he outkicked Amherst sophomore Josh Park to win the district at Lorain County Community College, 16:49.28 to 16:52.60.
Pecoraro’s victory keyed Avon’s second district championship in three years and the first title among a Division I field. Avon (44) outdistanced defending champ Avon Lake (63), St. Edward (72) and Lakewood (101) — the other regional team qualifiers to next Saturday’s meet in Tiffin.
His role was paramount because he stepped up when junior Austin Fasciana was hampered with an asthma attack in the opening mile.
“I knew Sean and Austin were behind me. I was hoping they’d catch up to help push me along,” Pecoraro said. “I wasn’t thinking that (winning) was going to happen. I thought maybe a top-five finish. It turned out even better.”
Last year, Pecoraro was outkicked by two St. Edward runners in the last 200 meters. It not only cost him an individual spot (top 16, he was 17th in 18:03), it forced Avon into a tiebreaker with North Olmsted for fourth place, which the Eagles lost.
It was about the same spot on the course where the 6-foot-2, 143-pound Pecoraro launched his final kick by the 5-foot-5, 90-pound Park to win. The pair traded the lead several times in the last mile, including a couple of times coming off of Mount Washka with a half mile to go.
“Today was even more special than winning it two years ago after just missing last year,” Pecoraro said of the team finish. “That really, really hurt, but that was motivation for today. We really needed this.”
“We were trying to work together to keep the pace up and make sure the main field didn’t catch us,” said Park. “I tried to figure out the best time to move. He made a move and I couldn’t respond to it.”
The team’s No. 1 runner the last two years and a two-time state qualifier, Fasciana (sixth, 17:05.30) still managed to finish as the Eagles’ No. 3 runner behind Avon sophomore Sean Kane (fifth, 17:04.87).
“I reminded the guys prior to the race about what happened last year,” Kane said. “I said jokingly not to let the race come down to a tiebreaker. We’re not very good on them. I knew with our depth, we had it. We just knew we had to get after it today.”
“Austin thought he let the team down, but quite the contrary, he might have boosted some of the boys on the team,” Avon coach Matt Nortz said. “It just proves that we’re right there to help each other. Austin puts a lot on his shoulders.”
The Avon girls qualified to Division II regionals five years in a row from 2006-10, but were only ninth a year ago in the Division I debut. The Eagles came through with flying colors on Saturday as they finished second only to No. 13-ranked Bay, 50-96.
Sophomore Alli Clark (sixth, 20:15.28), freshman Erin Laird (15th, 20:33.53) and senior Linda Morales (16th, 20:35.30) led the Eagles. Magnificat (108) and Amherst (128) were the other team qualifiers.
“We kept it simple,” Clark said. “(Nortz) emphasized to try and find your mark and to stay on someone’s shoulder. That was pivotal, but especially on the backstretch where there was a lot of wind.”
Led by Alexis Szivan (fourth, 20:02.62) and Cassie Vince (fifth, 20:04.31), the Amherst girls earned their 23rd regional ticket in 24 years.
The Keystone girls earned their second straight regional ticket with a fourth-place finish in Division II. Freshman Shannon Wargo (third, 21:39.59) led the Wildcats.
“I thought we could go to regionals. I really didn’t have any doubt about that,” she said. “We knew the difference was overcoming our nerves and staying supportive. Jillian Peters (10th, 23:00.43) told me to yell at her if she wasn’t running with me. I yelled at her a lot. She did very well.”
The Elyria Catholic boys qualified fourth to regionals in Division II behind senior Jake Amato (sixth, 17:24.18). Last year, the Panthers had their streak of seven straight regional appearances snapped when they finished eighth at LCCC.
Contact Paul Heyse at 440-329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com