Sep 17, 2008 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS – The Geibel Catholic trio of John McGrogan, Daniel Dix and Taylor Nowicki were on the outside looking in as the Section 3-AA meet with Frazier and Burgettstown pushed into the second half of the Sampey Park 5K course Tuesday afternoon. With the three Gators trailing as many Commodores, Frazier held a slim 27-28 lead with the second loop left to run. McGrogan, Dix and Nowicki mustered a big move on the final hill with about 1/4-mile remaining, and proved to be the difference in the Gators’ 21-34 victory. Geibel also defeated Burgettstown, 18-39, to keep its section hopes alive with a record of 3-1. Frazier defeated Burgettstown, 24-31, and Avella, 15-50, to improve to 4-1 in the section and 6-2 overall.

Fort Cherry handed Brownsville its first loss of the season Tuesday with two section meet dates remaining. Geibel lost to Brownsville last week and hosts Fort Cherry in two weeks. Frazier has yet to run Fort Cherry or Brownsville.

Geibel coach Joe Siecinski wanted his son Adam and Anthony Speeney to open hard and push the pace. Frazier coach Joe Turek expected the same of his Brandon Mathews, needing his top runner to keep pace with the Gators’ duo.

Both Siecinski and Speeney pushed the pace in the final mile with Siecinski winning in 19:00 and Speeney just six seconds behind in second. Burgettstown’s Adam DiVecchio was third (19:19) with Frazier’s Mathews fourth in 19:52.

As Frazier’s Sawyer Palonder crossed the finish line in fifth in 20:03, the field was settling in for the final push to the finish line. McGrogan was the first to finish in 20:34, just edging teammates Dix (20:34) and Nowicki (20:36), to give the Gators five runners in the top eight.

“I was feeling pretty good. I was really focused on beating a few kids,” explained Dix of his finish. “I was surprised how good I did. I had a PR (personal best) by 45 seconds.”

Geibel and Frazier have a well-known rivalry, something that pushed Nowicki to the finish.

“We just knew we had to win because it’s Frazier,” said Nowicki, whose father Tom ran for the Gators under Leo Lowney. “I knew I could bring it up the hill faster.”

Siecinski said his squad followed the game plan perfectly.

“Our 3-4-5 guys were close (in finishing) today. They were within 10 seconds. That’s a good effort in cross country.”

Frazier’s race strategy hinged on Mathews being able to split Siecinski and Speeney.

“Each guy had a man. Brandon had to go out with Siecinski and Speeney. We knew we were in trouble when he couldn’t,” said Frazier coach Joe Turek. “The second half of the course took its toll.

“Geibel ran hard. They were more prepared and they wanted it more.”

Only Burgettstown fielded a full team in the girls meet, so the Lady Blue Devils swept the day’s run. Charleroi’s Jessica Bastin, running with Frazier, won in 22:34.

Frazier’s Rebecca Leonard was fourth overall in 25:19 and teammate Dominique Hewitt was next in 26:12.

Geibel’s Sadie Caccimelio was seventh overall in 27:41, 18 seconds ahead of teammate Laura Mechling.