Summer Sizzler #19 - 5K
April 20, 2003

         The young speedsters joined forces with the wily veterans in various attempts at age records but Mother Nature failed to cooperate and, when the dust cleared, only one record was set during the final cross country race of the season. Cathedral High’s Dennis Roche blitzed through the first kilometer with alumnus Tom Walsh, who is now wearing a Trinity College singlet, stalked by veteran Harriers Peter Fratini and Carlos Rivera.  
         The three h’s (heat, humidity and hills) soon got the better of the two front runners, as both times and form wilted. Carlos Rivera demonstrated why he is the all time win leader at the Summer Sizzlers as he surged past the faltering teenagers one by one then opened a commanding lead. Despite missing his own age record, Carlos clocked the fastest time of the year on the course while registering his Hall of Fame leading 45^th Summer Sizzler victory. Tom Walsh hung on for the silver medal in a solid 18:15, while Peter Fratini took the bronze in 18:59. First timer Don Smith conquered the course with a none too shabby 19:04 to win the master’s division while Stan Kolpa led the seniors with a quick 22:15.  
         Despite narrowly missing her own age record, Mary Ferraro added win #13 to her precedent setting 2003 Summer Sizzler season with a 21:07, a remarkable effort considering the conditions. Carol L’Esperance plugged a gap in the record books with a 24:08 2^nd place finish as the all time course record holder added the record for 53 year olds to her collection. Leslie Frank improved her course pr to 24:59 for the bronze medal.  
         The 2003 Summer Sizzler season concludes next Wednesday, August 27^th, on the 8K road course.