By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

CROSS COUNTRY

GLENOAK INVITATIONAL

The Kent Roosevelt boys and girls cross country programs opened their seasons on Saturday at the GlenOak Invitational.

The girls placed 13th out of 26 teams, with Jeanie Barzellato, Emma Arthur, Nevaeh Hersman, Maddie Baron and Evie Caldwell scoring points.

The boys finished 16th out of 27 teams. Point-scorers included Carter Slack, Gideon Kaine, Ethan Young, Diego Coutino Granados and Cor Asp.

“The boys team had a strong pack, with runners two through five pulling each other along and running a tight race,” coach Matt Pazderak said.

Next up for the Rough Riders will be the Ashley White Invitational next weekend hosted by Marlington.

SALEM EARLY BIRD INVITATIONAL

The Ravenna Ravens opened their season at the Salem Early Bird Invitational on Saturday, with the girls placing fifth overall to highlight the day.

Top point-scorer was Julia Stratton, who ran a 22:39.

She was followed up by Paige China (24:02), Addison Ribelin (26:00), Clare Johnston (29:40) and Gracie Stroh (30:34).

The Ravenna boys do not have enough runners to score as a team, but the leading individual runner was Dakota Bisho at 25:44, who was followed by Ben Rainone (28:39).

In the middle-schoolr ace, Ravenna was led by Liv Stroh’s 16:21.

Helaina Collins (17:07), Kaitlynn Artz (23:00), Torrie Butner (24:56) and Jordan Garden (23:02) all ran in the middle-school event for the Ravens.

BOYS SOCCER

FIELD 1, LOUISVILLE 0

A 47-yard strike by Gavin Greene was the lone goal for the Falcons on Saturday and it stood up to give the team a narrow victory over the host Leopards.

Greene’s hit came on a restart, then the defense and goalkeeper Caleb Brastine preserved the shutout.

For the Falcons, it was the fourth win of the week in as many games.

VOLLEYBALL

WATERLOO DEF. LEETONIA,

25-21, 25-15, 25-20

The Vikings captured a three-game sweep over Leetonia on Saturday.

Arianna Rebecchi and Isabella Kozma both reached double figures in service points with 14 and 10, respectively.

Each were also the leaders in kills, with Kozma totaling six and Rebecca had five.

Miranda Long had 14 assists, to go along with nine points, while Alexis Eddy had four digs.

FOOTBALL

CRESTWOOD 28, MINERVA 0

The Red Devils bounced back from being shut out in Week 1 (33-0 loss at Rootstown) to posting a shutout of their own on Friday night.

Crestwood (1-1) jumped out to an early 21-0 lead by halftime, with a pair of touchdown passes from Charlie Sommer and a game-breaking run by Nate Blasiole.

On the first score, Sommer found Tristen Addis for a 24-yard strike and the Devils took a 7-0 lead on an extra point by Jayden Julian.

Sommer boosted the lead to 14-0 on a 44-yard pass to Noah Baker in the second quarter.

Moments later, Blasiole broke free for a 59-yard score.

The lone touchdown of the second half came in the third quarter when the Devils’ Tommy Georger turned an interception into a pick-six from 19 yards out.

Julian was a perfect 4-for-4 on point-afters on the night.

In Week 3, Crestwood will travel to Chippewa, which has opened the season with two losses (32-10 to Mapleton and 24-0 to Hawken).

Blasiole finished Friday’s game with 176 yards on 25 carries.