Age-Group Records Broken at February Freeze

BY SANDRA HOWARD

TUNKHANNOCK, PA--Warmer than normal temperatures on the day of the February Freeze 5K, along with improved footing, contributed to three age-group records being broken on Saturday, February 5, 2005. Competing in their first Freezes, Michael Murphy, 31, of Warren Center was first overall in 18:02, and Jessica Squier, 17, from Montrose captured the first overall female spot in a time of 19:34.

Shorts was the uniform of the day as relatively good race-day conditions saw the first five males finishing under 19:00, and three runners set new age-group records. Reece Ayers, 12, from Tunkhannock broke the long-standing record in the male 12 and under age group by running a time of 20:47. The previous age-group record was set in 1989 by Aaron Harvey in a time of 22:10. For the females, Amelia Poplawski, 12, of Wilkes-Barre broke the female 12 and under age-group record. Amelia’s time of 23:19 bettered the existing record set in 1998 by Melissa Rushejski (23:31). Also for the females, Nancy Wertmuller, 53, of Scranton bettered her own 50-54 age-group record, lowering her time by 20 seconds (23:12).

The 18th running of this winter favorite brought 75 runners to Tunkhannock for the 3.1-mile race. They shared not only the joy of running outdoors at a time of year when many people would not even consider it, but also shared the camaraderie of crock pots of soup after the race during the awards ceremony. Co-race directors Sandy Howard and Doug Toye, and the Endless Mountains Bobcats, would like to thank everyone who helped to make this race a great success.

MALE

Overall

1. Michael Murphy 18:02

12 and Under

1. Reece Ayers 20:47

13-19

1. Brandon Marlatt 18:23
2. David Bacon 18:56
3. Matt Buckingham 19:03

20-24

1. Adam Malak 20:18

25-29

1. Brandon McDermott 19:12
2. Joe Dowd 23:35

30-34

1. Jeff Crahalla 18:10
2. Adrian Essigman 25:26

35-39

1. Randy White 19:11
2. Paul Fahey 20:26
3. Jeff Walsh 21:31

40-44

1. Kevin Bandru 18:06
2. Kevin Moran 23:51
3. Chris Kamp 25:56

45-49

1. Tony Korch 19:31
2. Michael Kinney 20:28
3. Greg Bassham 20:56

50-54

1. David Robbins, Jr. 20:14
2. Reg Thomas 20:34
3. Paul Oliver 22:20

55-59

1. Ho Titman 21:08
2. Max Furek 22:05
3. Rich Begliomini 23:13

60-64

1. Tom Berezich 33:20

65-69

1. Jim Marsh 30:37

70 and Over

1. Rich Hause 25:31

FEMALE

Overall

1. Jessica Squier 19:34

12 and Under

1. Amelia Poplawski 23:19

13-19

1. Marsha Proshutina 20:24
2. Courtney Cornell 24:04
3. Tierney Ayers 26:52

20-24

1. Heather Bacon 24:53
2. Krista Kobeski 28:00

25-29

1. Jen Stec-Gagliardi 23:06

30-34

1. Alaina Dietz 24:48
2. Jacquelyn Comerford 26:05

35-39

1. Bridget White 26:41
2. Jill Daniels 28:47

40-44

1. Suncha Rhone 26:07
2. Kay Wilson 28:41
3. Martha White 32:41

45-49

1. Cindy Sanford 25:37
2. Nancy Harmon 26:48
3. Beth O’Malley 29:43

50-54

1. Nancy Werthmuller 23:12