Tuesday, September 18, 2001
La Salle runs into top U.S. ranking
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The La Salle High School boys cross country team is ranked No. 1 in the nation in The Harrier magazine's latest Super 25 national poll.
“I believe we are the first team in the history of Ohio high school teams, boys or girls, to be named No. 1,” La Salle coach Frank Russo said Monday.
La Salle had been No. 12 in the previous national poll, but gained attention by beating defending national champion Mount View (Utah) at a meet in San Francisco on Sept. 8.
La Salle is led by Allen Bader, the defending Ohio Division I state champion and preseason Nike All-American. Bader's best time this year is 15:32, and top teammates include Jason Beck (16:19), Eric Mayhaus (16:21), Garrett Grogan (16:21) and Kyle Dragan (16:36).
Russo said La Salle will face another big test this weekend in Charlotte at the Great American Race of Champions, which will field 10 of the top 15 teams in the nation.
“This could really decide who the national champion is,” Russo said.
Some of La Salle's top competition in postseason will come from its own neighborhood. Fellow GCL team St. Xavier, the defending Ohio state Division I team champion, is right on the Lancers' heels in The Enquirer city poll at No. 2.
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