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AREA RUNNING

November 2, 2009

Wadas, Patton post victories in August Memorial Run

Overall champion Chris Wadas easily defends his crown in the 3-mile race.

ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE – Chris Wadas and Wendy Patton ran to easy victories in the Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s Benjamin August Memorial 3 Mile Run on Sunday.

Wadas, who was last year’s champ as well, broke the tape in 14 minutes and 39 seconds. Wadas, 27, from Wilkes-Barre, outraced second-place finisher Dan Pszeniczny, 41, of Benton, by 1:28. Mike Lisnock, 36, of Berwick, finished third, 50 seconds behind Pszeniczny.

“Dan went out with me for the first half mile,” said Wadas, who is the head track and cross country coach at Misericordia University. “I surged at that point. And Dan fell off the pace. Then I just maintained a good, even pace. I reached the first mile in 4:47. I clocked in at 4:55 over the second mile and 4:54 over the last mile.”

Wadas has been training hard for the nine-mile Run for the Diamonds, which takes place in Berwick on Thanksgiving morning. But he recently revamped his training schedule.

“I was mentally exhausted,” said Wadas. “So I took some mileage off my training. I needed some time to relax a little bit. Hopefully, I’ll do well at Berwick.”

Patton, who won the JCC’s River Street 3 Miler in April, won Sunday’s three miler in 19:25. Patton, 42, of Swoyersville, outdistanced second-place finisher Lynn Dolan, 45, of West Wyoming, by 29 seconds. Kerry Zawadski, 34, of Plymouth, placed third, clocking in at 21:32.

“It went well,” said Patton. “It was a little breezy on the way back. But I felt good at the finish. I didn’t look back throughout the race, so I didn’t really know where the next female was. But when we reached the turnaround (at the Martz Bus Terminal, just off Old River Road), I could see that Lynn was about 20 seconds behind me. At that point, I just tried to maintain a nice pace to the finish.”

Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s 2009 Benjamin August Memorial 3-Mile Run results

Top 10

Chris Wadas, 27, Wilkes-Barre, 14:39

Dan Pseniczny, 41, Benton, 16:07

Mike Lisnock, 36, Berwick, 16:57

Chris Pszeniczny, 39, Benton, 17:28

John Zawadski, 37, Plymouth, 17:50

Ed Lipski, 55, Clarks Green, 18:18

George Dunbar, 46, Old Forge, 18:35

Kevin Brace, 27, Drums, 18:42

Joe Kichilinsky, 47, Wyoming, 18:44

James Deon, 23, Wilkes-Barre, 18:47

Male award winners: Overall: Wadas Age group winners: 14 & under: None. 15-19: 1. R.J. Sperazza, Pittston, 19:28; 2. none. 20-29: 1. Kevin Brace, Drums, 18:42; 2. James Deon, Wilkes-Barre, 18:47; 3. Nick Williams, Wilkes-Barre, 23:19. 30-34: None. 35-39: 1. Mike Lisnock, Berwick, 16:57; 2. Chris Pszeniczny, Benton, 17:28; 3. John Zawadski, Plymouth, 17:50. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Dan Pszeniczny, Benton, 16:07; 2. Rob Foote, Hanover Twp., 21:31; 3. Joe Kraus, Kingston, 21:33. 45-49: 1. George Dunbar, Old Forge, 18:35; 2. Joe Kichilinsky, Wyoming, 18:44; 3. Chris Krall, Kingston Twp., 19:52. 50-59: 1. Ed Lipski, Clarks Green, 18:18; 2. Greg Bassham, Mountain Top, 18:51; 3. Steve Taren, Wilkes-Barre, 22:51. 60-69: 1. Mike Lisnock, Sugarloaf, 22:35; 2. Gary Dougherty, Shavertown, 28:58. 70 & over: 1. Naum Gitman, Kingston, 22:52; 2. Jim Henry, Wilkes-Barre, 26:22.

Top 3 females

Wendy Patton, 42, Swoyersville, 19:25

Lynn Dolan, 45, W. Wyoming, 19:54

Kerry Zawadski, 34, Plymouth, 21:32

Female award winners: Overall: Patton. Age group winners: 14 & under: None. 15-19: None. 20-29: 1. Lindsay Pugliese, Lebanon, 25:14; 2. None; 3. None. 30-34: 1. Lisa Prokop, Wilkes-Barre, 23:40; 2. None; 3. None. 35-39: 1. Kerry Zawadski, Plymouth, 21:32; 2. Randi Chapin, Drums, 24:41; 3. Lisa Foote, Hanover Twp., 25:53. Masters division: 40-44: 1. None. 45- 49: 1. Lynn Dolan, W. Wyoming, 19:54; 2. Johanna Gelb, Wilkes-Barre, 26:37; 3. None. 50-59: 1. Sharon Davies, Mountain Top, 23:21; 2. Debbie Fries, Wilkes-Barre, 27:31; 3. Julie Slone, Kingston, 31:58. 60-69: None. 70 & over: None.

3-Mile Racewalk

First male finisher: Ryan Pugliese, 28, Lebanon, 27:01

First female finisher: Dale McDaniel, 63, Canadensis, 33:34

Field: 50 (run); 15 (walk).

Official starter: Vince P. Wojnar. Timing: Vince A. Wojnar (Wyoming Valley Striders). Results: Insta Results. Race director: Bill Buzza (JCC Physical Education Director). JCC Executive Director: Rick Evans.

Schedule: Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving): Berwick Marathon Association’s 100th running of the 9-mile Run for the Diamonds at 10:30 a.m. at Market and Second streets, Berwick. Info: Margaret Livsey, 759-1300.

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