PSAL standouts win at the Brown Invitational

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The top two individuals from New York's PSAL each won at the Brown Invitational on Saturday in Rhode Island, and Marco Pompilj of Collegiate and Denise Branch of Benjamin Cardozo both did so impressively.

In the boys race, Pompilj ran 15:13.4 and defeated Edwin Rutto, the new Kenyan student at St. Benedict's. Rutto, competing in his second race for St. Benedict's, was second in 15:17.4.

The result offers something of a sophomore year comparison between Rutto and his predecessor at St. Benedict's, Edward Cheserek.

In 2010, Cheserek won the Brown Invite in 15:00.8. A year later he broke the course record at Brown with 14:34.6.
Branch ran 17:52.2 and was pressed to the end by Tiana Guevera of Miller Place (17:53.3).

Branch is the latest in a line of distance talents at Cardozo under coach Ray James. The past two years saw the rise of Alexis Panisse and Sabrina Southerland.

Earlier this fall, Pompilj and Branch both won at the NYC Mayor's Cup.

--- VIRGINIA ---

In Mechanicsburg, Louis Colson of Thomas Edison reaffirmed his status as the top guy in Virginia by leading a deep field wtih a 15:21 victory at the Milestat.com Invitational. James Robinson High won a tightly bunched boys competition with 125 points.

Hannah Christen led a 1-2 finish for Lake Braddock with a 10-second victory in 18:08.

US#28 Blacksburg packed up well, with its lead trio going 11-12-13, and scored 76 points to over come Lake Braddock (90).

--- CALIFORNIA ---

At the Orange County Championships, fine individual performances came from Bethan Knights of Northwood, who covered three miles in 16:48 and won by 20 seconds in the sweepstakes race.

In the featured boys race, senior Garrett Corcoran of Villa Park ran 14:28 and was five seconds in front of Brea Olinda sophomore Austin Tamagno. Behind them, Sydney Gidabuday was third in 14:54.