FALL SPORTS NOTES: Cross country, Lee’s Summit swimming, St. Teresa’s golf

Source: The Star

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PHOTOS BY JOHN SLEEZER | The Kansas City Star

Girls runners (top photo) made their way up the first hill and Raytown’s John Bedsworth (above, front) competed in the boys Blue division race on Saturday at the Rim Rock meet.

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Harrisonville High School senior Maksim Korolev enjoyed much of the attention last Saturday at the Rim Rock Farm Cross Country Classic near Lawrence. He won the elite boys’ Gold division race in 15 minutes, 40.21 seconds, then chatted with a Kansas State coach.

Attention from colleges is nothing new for the former state champion, but Korolev has specific qualities he’s seeking to continue his athletic and academic life.

“I’ve been talking to a few,” Korolev said. “I’m looking for a college (that’s) higher academically. So I’m looking more for academics than running.”

Several other area runners also enjoyed top moments.

Truman’s Sara Ruckman finished third in the Blue division and led the Patriots’ girls to a third-place finish, and Luke Abouhalkah of Raytown placed fifth in the boys Blue division.

Rachel Carpino and Tessa Riley of Lee’s Summit North finished sixth and ninth, respectively, in the girls Gold division. St. Teresa’s placed fifth in the girls’ Gold division.

SWIMMING/DIVINGLast Saturday, the Lee’s Summit High School boys swimming and diving team competed in the North Kansas City Invitational for the first time. Through the day, most of the Tigers reached personal records, and their fast times led to a second-place finish in the 24-team meet.

Junior Kyle Adams took second in the individual medley and breast stroke events, and junior diver Garrett Nevels provided the Tigers with their only individual victory, setting a personal best with a score of 401.95.

“It was fun for us,” coach Bruce Holder said. “(The meet) was missing some fast teams, which is helpful to give the guys a positive stroke, not to get beat up so much.”

This Friday, the Tigers are in the Raytown Invitational.

GIRLS GOLFOn the brink of district play, the St. Teresa’s Academy golf team has consistently found ways to chip and putt to dual-match victories.

Last week, the Stars defeated Pembroke Hill by a slim-stroke margin when junior Colleen Corcoran stepped up with one of her lowest scores of the season. While No. 1 senior Casey O’Flaherty chipped in a 40, and most-improved sophomore Alexis Buford had a 44, Corcoran, who typically finishes around fifth or sixth on the team, scored a 42.

“We’re making progress, and I’m excited,” coach Teresa Bochert said. “We’ll see what happens here with the next couple rounds with (Corcoran).”

Corcoran and others are battling to make the team for district play. Only five golfers can represent a team at the Class 2 District 7 meet, and just four top scores are counted. St. Teresa’s plays in the district meet Oct. 6 at Hoot’s Hollow at Country Creek in Pleasant Hill.

submitted by CANDACE BUCKNER - 2009-09-29 12:55:02