23rd Annual GSH Summer Sizzler Series - 5K XC

           The Summer Sizzler season has begun to heat up along with the weather. Under muggy conditions Harrier Ron Lombardi bolted into the lead at the gun with Enfield’s Brian Nelson in hot pursuit. Nelson had recently cashed in at the Enfield 5K Road Race with a convincing sub 17 minute first place, and he dogged Lombardi up and down the Forest Park hills, looking to repeat. But Ron never let up, gradually extended his lead, and registered an impressive wire to wire 17:52 victory for his second Summer Sizzler crown of the season. Brian followed with a solid 18:18 split followed by newly minted Harrier Alan Bohdiewicz in 20:00. Long time SMACer Rich Clark took masters honors in 20:52 while GSHer Seth Roberts won the senior crown in a respectable 21:23. 
           West Springfield’s Julia Conway made her first tour of the Harrier cross country course a memorial one. The 14 year old Deerfield Academy student raced over the challenging Forest Park terrain in 21:25 to win her first Summer Sizzler title. In the process she established a new record for 14 year old girls, clipping 8 seconds off the old record set by Harrier Sue Counos way back in 1982, twenty years ago. Or over five years before Julia was born! Elizabeth Duquette chased Julia for 2nd in 22:47 while Summer Sizzler race director Sharon Mikaelian was 3rd in 25:05.