Solon Teams Rising in Rankings: Weekly Sports Recap

Solon's boys' and girls' cross country teams are ranked in the first state poll released this week while the Lady Comet girls' soccer team remains a member of the prestigious ESPN Fab 50.

CROSS COUNTRY

Solon's boys' cross country team is ranked ninth among Ohio's Division I teams this week. The Comets are coming off a victory at the McDonough Invitational in Cleveland Heights, edging runner-up St. Francis by a score of 50-51.

Kevin Blank led Solon with a third-place overall finish in a time of 17:06. He was followed across the finish line by teammates Dan Urbanek (seventh - 17:17), Jonathan Wainblat (eighth - 17:25), Max Haiss (11th - 17:34) and Ethan Wise (21st - 17:56).

The Lady Comets are also ranked in the state Division I poll, checking in at 22nd. They also won at the McDonough Invitational, besting St. Joseph Academy by a 64-99 count.

Therese Haiss won her fourth straight meet, placing first with a 19:28 clocking. Also scoring for Solon were Kelsey Aamoth (third - 19:57), Geneva Sandridge (11th - 20:54), Abby Paige (24th - 21:41) and Julia Haiss (25th -21:45).

UP NEXT: The Comets look to continue their strong seasons when they compete in tomorrow's Strongsville Invitational.

GIRLS' SOCCER

Solon's ladies are ranked 26th in the country in this week's ESPN Fab 50. Brecksville, which beat the Lady Comets last week, jumped to 12th in the nation while Walsh Jesuit, the team Solon played to a draw earlier this season, is now up to fourth.

The Lady Comets mproved to 8-1-1 on the season with a 7-0 rout of Cuyahoga Falls with Natalie Ockunzzi pacing the winners with a pair of goals. Hannah Schippers, Maria Collica, Kristen Confroy, Maddie Kresevic and Ariana Daukss also scored for Solon with Confroy posting the shutout in goal.

It was more domination in the Lady Comets' 5-0 blanking of Aurora. Jordan Spiegle, Schippers, Collica, Kresevic and Emily Rusell all tallied goals in the victory and Confroy was once again perfect in goal.

UP NEXT: Solon plays at Hudson tomorrow and entertains Stow Monday.

BOYS' SOCCER

Solon pulled off a huge win in a of state-ranked St. Edward, holding the Eagles to just two shots on goal. A first-half goal by Jeremy Seaman gave the Comets the lead and Orlando Cumberlander's goal late in the match sealed the victory over St. Edward, which had been ranked sixth in the Division I poll.

The Comets dropped a tough 2-1 decision to North Royalton last night to fall to 5-2-3 overall on the season. Solon took a 1-0 advantage on a first half goal by Cumberlander but could not hold the lead.

Goalkeeper Tommy Koenig continued his strong play this season in a 0-0 draw against Medina.

UP NEXT: The Comets host Vermilion tomorrow and will hit the road to play at Mentor Tuesday in a key NOC matchup.

TENNIS

Solon captured a 3-2 decision over a strong Chagrin Falls team thanks to victories by Danielle Pivovar (6-4, 6-1) and Monika Bandi (6-2, 6-3) in singles action and the doubles team of Tinisee Kandakai and Jamie Marks (6-3, 6-4).

The Lady Comets also bested Highland 3-1 with wins from Daisy Chung (6-4, 6-2), Pivovar (6-1, 6-3) and the doubles duo of Bandi and Alana Fayman (6-2, 6-2).

Solon fell to Chagrin Valley Conference power Kenston by a 4-1 count with Pivovar (6-3, 6-0) scoring the lone point.

UP NEXT: The Lady Comets were scheduled to host Hudson today and have home matches with Mayfield Monday and WRA on Tuesday.

BOYS' GOLF

David Rudary continued his standout season for the Comets with a round of 39 at Signature of Solon but it wasn't enough as Solon (174) fell to Nordonia (164) but defeated Kenston (184).

UP NEXT: The Comets will compete in the NOC Championships at Sweetbriar on Monday.

GIRLS' GOLF

The Lady Comets dropped a 185-188 decision to Medina despite a personal best round of 40 by Alexis Gray. Aly Ales shot a 45 for Solon, Tiffany Li carded a 51 and Grace Guttierrez added a 52.

UP NEXT: The Comet girls play at Hudson Monday and play in the NOC Championships at Windmill Lakes on Wednesday.

VOLLEYBALL

Solon suffered a brutal loss to Elyria last night, winning the first two games of the match but eventually falling in five games by scores of 27-29, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-13.

UP NEXT: The Lady Comets host Strongsville on Wednesday.