Bumgarner, Deichert win Omelette 5k
Waynesburg Central graduate Ben Bumgarner won the inaugural Joe Thomas Mile last year, while Albert Gallatin grad Xavier Stephens was first in the Omelette 5k run.
The two reversed finishes on a steamy Saturday morning with Stephens taking first in the mile and Bumgarner cruising to a sound victory in the 5k.
Uniontown graduate Nate Edenfield battled Bumgarner, who enters his sophomore year at Penn State University this fall, for the first Thomas Mile crown.
Edenfield was back in the mix Saturday morning as he and Stephens set the pace after the opening of four laps. Stephens held the lead as the two entered the bell lap and gained a little distance from Edenfield to break the tape in 4:35.30. Edenfield was a close second in the open division, finishing in 4:37.34.
Connellsville graduate and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus runner Devin Pisarski was the third male, and fourth overall, in 5:18.34.
California University of Pa. and Uniontown graduate Julie Friend was the first female, and third overall, with a time of 4:56.41.
Recent Belle Vernon graduate Brett Seich won the High School Division mile run in 4:49.92. Uniontown’s Larkin Carroll, a 8-year old, was the first High School Division female in 8:00.75.
The 5k course was altered this year. Instead of going out and back as in years past, the course continued on through to the new path laid along the Sheepskin Trail and then circled back its way back to the stadium.
The new course seemed to be to Bumgarner’s liking, covering the 3.1 miles in 15:53.33, over one minute ahead of Beaver Falls’ Andrew Domincic’s time of 16:56.61. Neftali Jimenez, of California, was third in 17:14.29.
Laurel Highlands graduate and Penn State University cross country runner Marisa Deichert won the women’s 5k title, and was ninth overall, in 19:55.90. Desirae Schoonover, of West Union, W.Va., was second in 20:27.80, with recent Southmoreland graduate Kaylee Farino third with a time of 20:38.14.
Youngwood’s Jason Lohr led the 5k walk from start to finish, breaking the tape in 34:35.39. Uniontown’s Nic Burgess was second in 34:58.95 and Connellsville’s Jim Downey third in 36:00.74.
Brownsville’s Karen Fraley was the first female 5k finisher, and fourth overall, with a time of 36:24.26. Hopwood’s Gloria Antoon finished second in 37:04.46 and Acme’s Dawn Basinger placed third in 38:31.38.