The Padua Cross Country Varsity and JV teams were both crowned team champions at the University of Delaware Cross Country Invitational on Friday, October 7th.  Irlanda Manning-Martinez ’14 was the JV individual race winner.

The Varsity team faced tough competition against 21 other teams from throughout the state of Delaware.  The girls ran a smart tactical race in a field of 121 runners and kept a tight pack that allowed Padua to overcome big point deficits from other top team’s front-runners.  Garcelle Alequine ’12, Karlee Panella ’15, and Angie Spadaccini ’14 finished 6th, 7th, and 8th places respectively leading the team to victory. Olivia Allegretto ‘12 earning 24th place Erin Spadaccini ’15, 13th place, and Kerri Kelly ’12, 14th place, rounded out the other Padua varsity team finishers.

The JV team stunned the entire crowd with a dominating performance taking 10 of the top 11 places and earned the respect of the onsite milesplit reporter who interviewed the entire team.  Padua’s JV squad, who was led by Irlanda Manning-Martinez, finished 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10-11.  The other team runners who achieved this unbelievable accomplishment in order of finish was Maddie Sutton ’13, Jill Ciritella ’15, Katie Wecht ’14, Jacki D’Amico ’14, Shannon Hayes ’13, Caley McCormick ’14, Brooke Wahlgren ’14, Mallory Blow ’15, and Alexis Ryan ’12.

The performances of both teams at this race was one of the best ever in Padua’s history of Cross Country.  Congratulations to all of these runners who work extremely hard and make big sacrifices everyday to achieve these incredible accomplishments.  Please come out and show your support at any of the team’s upcoming races.  These upcoming races include the Catholic Conference Championships Friday, Oct 28th at Bellevue State Park, New Castle County Championships Saturday, Nov 5th at Winterthur, and State Championships Saturday Nov 12th at Killens Pond State Park. Keep up the great work PAXC!