Diamond State Games IV
Weekend of June 18-19, 2005

Locals Steal the Show at Diamond State Games Cross Country Event

CLAYTON, DE- Ben MacKinnon, 17, from Townsend was the overall winner of the inaugural cross-country event held at Diamond State Games IV on Saturday at Providence Creek Charter School in Clayton.

MacKinnon, a recent graduate of Middletown High School, won with a time of 17:46.

For the women it was another teenager who ran the best time of the day. Rachel Taylor, 15, also from Townsend, ran a 24:47 to win gold in the 14-17 year-old age group.

Other Delaware gold medallists included Nick Merritt from Smyrna, Tyler Wilson of Claymont, James Sloven of Clayton, Sara Rose of Smyrna, Shannon Mullaney of Dover, and Mary Steppi of Wilmington.

The race featured a large group of Kent County residents since portions of the proceeds benefited the Smyrna High School cross-country program under the tutelage of Michael Kennedy, the race coordinator.

Cross Country

Male

13U
Gold – Nick Merritt – Smyrna, DE 25:05

Silver – Justin Mullaney – Clayton, DE 28:39
Bronze – Cody Daugherty-Hayes – Clayton, DE 30:34

14-17
Gold – Ben MacKinnon – Townsend, DE 17:46 Overall Male Winner
Silver – Kerry Wilson – Townsend, DE 20:34
Bronze – Will Carter – Smyrna, DE 21:39

18-22
Gold – Tyler Wilson – Claymont, DE 18:42
Silver – Angelo Cialini – Elkton, MD 18:59
Bronze – Dominick Johnston – Elkton, MD 19:22

23-39
Gold – William Jenkins – Avon Grove, PA 19:21
Silver – Andrew Smith – Wilmington, DE 19:34
Bronze – Steven Cataldi – Laurel, DE 20:54

40+
Gold – James Sloven – Clayton, DE 32:22
Silver – Carey Shea – Northeast, MD 34:52
Bronze – Tom Beesley – Hopatcong, NJ 34:59

Female

13U
Gold – Nikki Beesley – Hopatcong, NJ 34:17
Silver – Jessica Sparta – Rising Sun, MD 35:12
Bronze – Brittani Weathers – Magnolia, DE 36:45

14-17
Gold – Rachel Taylor – Townsend, DE 24:47 Overall Female Winner
Silver – Jennifer Watson – Smyrna, DE 27:09
Bronze – Leila Sammander – Smyrna, DE 27:49

18-22
Gold – Sara Rose – Smyrna, DE 31:43
Silver – Sheila Jackson – Delaware City, DE 32:32
Bronze – Susan Leeder – Pennsville, NJ 33:41

23-39
Gold – Shannon Mullaney – Dover, DE 38:53
Silver – Diane Beesley – Hopatcong, NJ 39:22
Bronze – Sharon Capozzi – West Chester, PA 39:24

40+
Gold – Mary Steppi – Wilmington, DE 26:39
Silver – Diane Parzaneze – Avon Grove, PA 38:19
Bronze – Kelly Brophy – Jenkintown, PA 39:14