Milford High School Cross Country

For the first time in Seashore Strider Series race, Ol' Bloomie broke the 20-barrier, running a 19:50 under beautiful, comfortable skies at the Father's Day 5K. The day proved decorated for Milford residents, John Yanacek, who took home his best time of the summer (20:10) en route to a win in the Clydesdale division. Not only did he get a Clydesdale-sized trophy, but he collected a nice sweatshirt and Superbagel (a big one-pounder!). And . . . Randy Fisher lopped off some time, cruising to a stellar 26:22, while his son, Robert, a MMSCCer, scored a third-place trophy. Congrats to Dan, Dan the Running Man Pennington who earned a personal-best 17:22 after running a 17:26 the day before. Special Sauce Insider saw Milford sup Doc Smith cheering on his MMS daughter, Sara, who broke 30 minutes nicely, and congrats goes out to Dover High alum Pat Boyle who won the entire race in 16:59. Seaford's Mitch Fryling (an '04 grad) led a host of other local high schoolers, including Tech's Mahood and Cape's Melendez.

Saturday's Special Saucers, Bobby Spath, Brad Dennehy and Ol' Bloom took the top three spots in the 30-39 age group to sweep at the Strawberry Fever 5K in Woodside. And congrats to the ladies, Courtney Spath and Shelly, who took one-two, respectively, in the 20-29 age bracket. Spathman and the New Zealand Zipper Dennehy took off midway through the race, thanks to their micro-computers strapped to their wrists (they looked more like garage door openers, but anyway). Spathman got fourth overall in the mid 19s, while Dennehy knocked off Bloom for the first time with a 20:14. I made a push, but couldn't catch 'em with a 20:32. I also couldn't out-sprint the Ol' middle school CC coach Baxter Smith, but was able to nip Milford running pal John Yanacek by a smidgen. Courtney cruised to a 24:30 while Shelly (paced by Milford res Kathy Kunkle and the ageless Lee Masser) broke under the 30-barrier for the first time in '04 with a 29:38!!! Special Sauce Insider saw a host of youngsters, led by MMSCCer Robert Fisher and Pop. Lake's Teddy Riser, Dover's Kevin Kemmerle and CR's Ashley Johnson placed well and the Dover youth CCers came out in full force.

So, Ol' Bloomie did run the Chestertown Tea Party 5K in a solid 20:34 -- good enough for 13th out of nearly 240, but 5th overall in that new 30 and older age group. I came back a week later in the Spring into Motion (and face the WIND AND RAIN) 5K at Greenwood Mennonite to finish 5th overall (20:43) and 2nd in my age group behind Milford runner John Yanacek who I seem to be catching in age, but not in time. :) Nice work, John! Congrats to my wifey, Shelly, who also completed both races and continues to have her sights set on completing her first summer series. Better watch out, folks -- she's getting the running bug! :) Another big congrats goes out to my old middle school CC coach Baxter Smith who has put me away in the second half of each of the last two races. He went sub-20 at Greenwood! And . . . Lee Masser -- you're amazing, man!!! Special Sauce Insider sees Baxter's speedy son, Barrett running low 19s already this summer. He could only be scratching the surface as he heads into his freshman season as a Seaford Blue Jay later this summer.

Click on the above headline to get the latest local summer running action in Special Sauce '05, dubbed SSVI: WHO CALLED THIS SPECIAL ANYHOO? Wow, it's amazing what a little discipline and training can do. In one week, Ol' Bloomer went from 22:34 to a respectable 21:24 at the 27th annual Buffalo Stampede in Wyoming on Saturday. Despite a field of 243 runners in the 5K, that time still hauled in a second place buffalo trophy in the hot, humid weather. Of course, big props go out to all the many locals hitting the pavement, including the MHSCC families of FitzPatrick, Fisher and Creasey. Junior co-captain Jackie (23:07) and mom, Julie led the Creaseys with third and second-place buffs, respectively, while papa Bill nearly made it a trophy sweep with a solid time. The Fisher and Fitz families missed out on the bison, but still put in a great day's work and super soph Kyle scored a great time as did his dad, Brian, and sis, alumni Jessica while mama, Barb, AKA Milford's Teacher of the Year, zipped through the walk. Soon-to-be MHSCCer Robert Fisher teamed with his dad, Randy, for a great combo, too. Numerous other Special Saucers picked up nifty wooden Buffalos as well, including Matt Lindell (newly hired as a teacher/coach at Dover High), St.Thomas More's Coach Eric Payne, and Milford residents John Yanacek, Dan Pennington and MHSCC alumni mom Kathy Kunkle. A host of Henlopen hasbeens :) also made their 5K/10K appearance like Amy Hrupsa, Steve Scarborough, the Swierzbinski brothers, Liz Paul, Kyle Luke, Kevin Kemmerle, Jeff Miller, the Hajecs, Breck Vandewende, and many more. Katelyn Ealer, Lauren Burawski, Pat Riley and Joe Debus led a blast of past upstate CCers, too. Special Sauce Insider saw a load of CR and Lake CCers, making the race, including Buff winners, Jessica Kapes and Jesse Brooks of CR and Teddy Bobola and Danielle Riley of Lake. Numerous Dover CCers blazed the course, as well, so it looks like the local rivals are ready and training for the '05 CC season. Next race:A Seashore Strider race over the next three weekends at the beach? Stay tuned for updates and remember . . . If you want to make Special Sauce, I guess I'll have to see you out there running! :) Have fun! Run!

Ol' Bloomie stayed under that 7-minute pace (albeit barely) en route to a runner-up age group finish in the Masser 5-miler Saturday at Cape Henlopen High to kick off the 2004 Seashore Strider Racing Series. Since I turn 30 on Wednesday, that'll be my last official race as a 20-something-year-old. :) Congrats go out to Dover High alum Troy Bockius who scored a runner-up finish overall, while Ol' Bloomie couldn't catch up to Milford resident John Yanacek or Woodbridge alum Breck Vanderwende. Lake alum and now assistant track coach Angie Brown had a strong race.