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LOCAL RUNNING

July 5, 2010

Tresckow man conquers Bernie’s Run

Jeff Skwierz took first place at 15:10, topping a record field.

ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE – Jeff Skwierz led a record field of 475 runners, capturing overall honors in the 27th annual Wilkes-Barre YMCA 3-Mile Run – “Bernie’s Run” – on Sunday.

Skwierz, 27, of Tresckow, broke the tape in 15 minutes, 10 seconds. He held off second-place finisher, Jason Theobald, 25, of Honesdale, who finished 14 seconds later. Dan Pszeniczny, 42, of Benton, finished third, 20 seconds behind Theobald.

“My original plan for this race was to hang back and run behind the leader and then make my move later in the race,” Skwierz said. “But when I reached the first mile marker, I was in the lead. And Jason was right with me. At that point I figured, I would open it up a bit and see what happens.”

No one went with Skwierz.

“I was able to open up a lead,” said Skwierz. “But I began to hurt at about two miles. And I began to worry that someone would catch me. But I was able to hold on for the win.”

Heidi Peoples didn’t have to worry about anyone catching her.

The 30-year-old from Scranton scored a wire-to-wire win in the female division finishing fourth-overall in 15:51. Kelly Ciravolo, 31, of Shavertown, finished second among the women, finishing 19th overall in 17:30. Regan Rome, the 14-year-old flash from Dallas, was the third female finisher, clocking in 14 seconds behind Ciravolo at 22nd overall.

“I basically just wanted to see how I would do compared to the last time I ran this race (two years ago),” Peoples said. “It went well – better than I thought it would. And I felt strong at the finish. Two years ago I finished in 16:24. And today I finished in 15:51. I’m happy about that.”

Peoples plans to run a longer distance race in the fall – possibly the Philadelphia Distance Run, a half-marathon.

Peoples, was a standout runner for Moravian College, running under her maiden name, Wolfsberger. At Moravian, she received All-America honors 11 times – a school record. She set seven individual school records and one as part of a relay team. Her time at the 3,000-meter distance, 9:39, as of 2006, was recognized as one of the top 10 all-time best performances in NCAA Division III history.

Tom Cheffins, 56, of Carlisle, won the 3-mile racewalk, finishing in 29:47. Desiree Holong, 15, of Swoyersville, was the first female finisher in the walk, clocking in at 33:59.

Jay Bittner, a 10-year-old from Dallas won the kids’ fun run. Second-place finisher Nicole Cavanaugh, 11, also from Dallas, was the first girl to finish. Robby Adams, 9, from Purcellville, Va., finished third.

 

Wilkes-Barre YMCA 27th annual 3 Mile Run

Top 15 finishers

Jeff Skwierz, 27, Tresckow, 15:10

Jason Theobald, 25, Honesdale, 15:24

Dan Pszeniczny, 42, Benton, 15:44

Heidi Peoples, 30, Scranton, 15:51

Jason Bohenek, 20, Jessup, 16:06

Paul Leonard, 48, Scranton, 16:08

Jason Kennedy, 29, Honesdale, 16:13

Bryan Weaver, 20, Dallas, 16:39

Justin Mazer, 20, Shavertown, 16:41

David Levandoski, 17, Swoyersville, 16:43

Vinay Murthy, 14, Larksville, 16:43

Frank Fevlenda, Dallas, 16:45

Mike Lisnock, 37, Berwick, 16:50

Mike McDade, 20, Wilkes-Barre, 17:00

Nick Wadas, 28, Kingston, 17:03

Male award winners: Overall: Skwierz, Theobald, Pszeniczny. Age group winners: 11-15: 1. Vinay Murthy, Larksville, 16:44; 2. Mitch Ford, Wilkes-Barre, 17:06. 16-20: 1. Jason Bohenek, Jessup, 16:06; 2. Bryan Weaver, Dallas, 16:39. 21-25: 1. Jim Dean, Wilkes-Barre, 18:37; 2. Doug Kennedy, Honesdale, 18:53. 26-30: 1. Jason Kennedy, Honesdale, 16:13; 2. Nick Wadas, Kingston, 17:03. 31-35: 1. Mike Kalinousky, Dallas, 17:07; 2. Pat Leonard, Pittston, 17:21. 36-40: 1. Mike Lisnock, Berwick, 16:50; 2. Brian Thomas, Tunkhannock, 17:36. 41-45: 1. Bo Krawcezeniuk, Wilkes-Barre, 15:31; 2. Matt Lipo, Forty Fort, 18:50. 46-50: 1. Paul Leonard, Scranton, 16:08; 2. Dan Thomas, Dallas, 17:47. 51-55: 1. Con McCole, Wilkes-Barre, 20:22; 2. Joe Skwierz, Freeland, 20:27. 55-60: 1. Dave Jiunta, Pittston, 19:49; 2. Ed Zindell, Jermyn, 20:35. 61 & over: 1. Paul Szymonski, Pittston, 19:42; 2. Ron Rawls, Mountain Top, 22:34.

Top female finishers

Heidi Peoples, 15:51

Kelly Ciravolo, 31, Shavertown, 17:30

Regan Rome, 14, Dallas, 17:44

Female award winners: Overall: Peoples, Ciravolo, Rome. Age group winners: 11-15: 1. Katie Metcalf, Dallas, 20:23; 2. Cassandra Gill, Wyoming, 20:37. 16-20: 1. Marino Orson, Shavertown, 18:14; 2. Mary Frank, Wilkes-Barre, 21-25: 1. Ali Ostrum, Hanover Twp., 18:14; 2. Taryn Giulliano, Scranton, 19:31. 26-30: 1.Tracy Zalenski, Bowie, Md., 21:55; 2. Charlene Aquilina, Shavertown, na. 31-35: 1. Deedra Porfirio, W. Pittston, 20:30; 2. Kerry Zawadski, Luzerne, 21:18. 36-40: 1. Christine Dexter, 20:22; 2. Jen Heck, W. Wyoming, 20:31. 41-45: 1. Cheri Balmer, na, 24:17. 2. Cathy Stanski, Dallas, 25:01. 46-50: 1. Lynn Dolan, W. Wyoming, 19:54; 2. Richelle Fessler, Bloomsburg, 23:46. 51-55: 1. Patty Phillips, Hanover Twp., 23:26; 2. Joan Angeli, Hudson, 25:33. 56-60: 1. Sharon Davies, Mountain Top, 24:34; 2. Barb Kent, na, 25:36. 61 & over: 1. Barb Zeske, Hanover Twp., 24:17; 2. Joan Golaszewski, Nanticoke, 29:33. Field: 475 finishers (record).

Special award: Family Run winners: 1. Dexter family; 2. Grose family; 3. Mohil/Moorehead family.

Kids Fun Run award winners

1. Jay Bittner, 10, Dallas;

2. Nicole Cavanaugh, 11, Dallas

3. Robby Adams, 9, Purcellville, Va.

Field: 75

. 3 Mile Racewalk

Top 3 male finishers

Tom Cheffins, 56, Carlisle, 29:47

John Wills, 70, Mountain Top, 32:18

Bill Surridge, 60, Taylor, 34:21

Top 3 female finishers

Desiree Holong, 16, Swoyersville, 33:59

Ann Charney, 45, Dallas, 35:20

Louise Kuchinskas, 57, Plymouth, 35:55

Field: 127 finishers. Total field for all races, including no shows: 675 (record). Official starters: Joe Coyne (former Wilkes-Barre Chief of Police and Phil Latinski. Pace cars: Dr. George Moses and WilkesBarre Police. Timing and Results: Insta Results. Race directors: Linda Reilly and Joe Barkett. YMCA Executive Director: Jim Thomas.

Schedule

July 25: Wyoming Valley Striders 3rd annual Summer 10Km (final leg of Striders Triple Crown) at Kirby Park at 9 a.m. Info: Vince Wojnar, 474-5363.

Aug. 7: Jack Daniels Mile at Tunkhannock Middle School at 7 a.m. Info: Dick Daniels, 240-1932.

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