¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

It didn’t matter what patch of woods they entered or emerged from, Cambridge-South Dorchester High’s Jaasiel Scharon Molock and Pocomoke’s Rylan George were only separated by a few steps. The distance between the two leaders fluctuated very little once Thursday’s Class 1A East Region boys championship settled into a two-man race. And it stayed that way until the final stretch, as Molock hit the finish line exactly 1 second ahead of George to win the boys individual title while pacing the Vikings to the team championship at Snow’s Turn Park.

“I’m really proud of them,� Cambridge-SD head coach Dr. Lois Narr said. “They came together as a team. They’re all ages. From our seniors to our freshmen, they all had a great race today.�

Cambridge-SD finished with 34 points to easily defeat runner-up Kent County (66) and third-place Pocomoke (93) in the boys competition. All three qualified for next Saturday’s state meet.

Leading the way was Molock, who along with George, trailed Cambridge-SD teammate Preston Adkins after the trio navigated the narrow path around the first pond on the 3-mile course. By the time they emerged from the woods on the second mile and prepared to re-enter the trees, Molock and George were locked in a two-man race.

As they escaped the trees and worked their way along the front side of the course’s second pond, Molock continued leading with George as his shadow.

“One, two. One two,� Molock said when asked what he was thinking over the final quarter mile. “I was counting my steps so I can keep my tempo.�

A sophomore, Molock maintained his tempo and lead as he made his final surge, crossing the finish line in a personal-record 16 minutes, 41.08 seconds while George finished in 16:42.08.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen,� Molock said. “My legs were burning. I was like, ‘Don’t stop. Don’t stop.’ I wanted to stop so bad, but I was able to push it because I saw my mom and dad over there and I finally won one. I just tried my best, see what would happen. I’m happy.�

As was the Vikings’ head coach.

“Jassiel really battled for that win and I’m really proud of him� Narr said. “He was just running with heart. And he’s also running smart. He’s taking what we’re trying to teach and he’s putting it into success. He showed me that he wants to win.�

The Vikings’ top five included senior Adkins (third, 17:27.69), freshman William Marquez (8th, PR 18:45.42), senior Matthew Suggs (9th, PR 18:51.02), and senior Marion San Juan (14th, 19:23.13).

“I’m just thrilled,� Narr said.

Leading second-place Kent County was sophomore Kato Swanson (4th, 17:51.54) and senior Pacome Mennetrier (6th, 18:01.34).

The girls 1A race also turned into a two-way battle between Snow Hill senior Allie Suarezapecheche and Kent County junior Janey Depp. Like Molock and George, Suarezapecheche held a slight lead as she and Depp ran back into the sunlight after the final section of trees. Suarezpacheche wouldn’t surrender her lead, finishing in 20:04.97, with Depp in second at 20:05.84.

Depp did lead the Trojans to the girls team title though. Following her across the finish line were senior Alden Swanson (3rd, 20:54.56), junior Sophie Cousineau (12th, 24:52.30), freshman Devynn Wiggins (26:56.37), and senior Jordana Capp (27:10.68). Kent totaled 28 points, with Cambridge-SD (37) in second and Pocomoke (58) in third.

Leading the Vikings, who also qualified for states, were freshmen Isabel Markin (4th, PR 21:14.61) and Reital Halasa (PR 22:14.59).

For the second time in eight days, Kent Island senior Gunner Hansard ran away from the competition, winning the 2A East boys title in 16:13.39 — 3 seconds away from his winning mark at the Bayside Conference championships. Rising Sun sophomore Gage Stefanick was second in 16:19.54.

The top 19 finishers in the boys 2A race qualified for states. North Bayside qualifiers were Easton’s Jacob Camper (5th, 16:33.20) and Ryder Cario (14th, 17:20.19), and Kent Island’s Hudson Scarlett (12th, 17:01.65) and Cole Fury (19th, 17:32.52).

C. Milton Wright won the 2A boys meet with 66 points followed by North East (87). Kent Island was fifth.

North Bayside qualifiers in the 2A girls race were Queen Anne’s junior Riley Coleman (16th, 21:54.49) and Kent Island freshman Aiyana Davis (19th, 22:20.72). C.M. Wright’s Cameryn Loper won the 2A girls title in 19:23.74, while North Harford won the team championship with 26 points.