SPIRE Academy wrapped up its inaugural cross country season this fall, marked by steady improvement, widespread personal bests and a competitive finish at the Nike Cross Country Midwest Regional.

The program debuted with seven meets across Ohio and the Midwest, opening Aug. 18 at the War on the Shore Invitational in Ashtabula. SPIRE also competed at the HOKA Kickoff Classic in Painesville, the Mentor Cardinal Classic, the Pat Ritchie Invitational in Cuyahoga Falls, the U Wanna Come Back Madison Invitational, and the Legends Cross Country Invitational in Cortland, before closing the season Nov. 16 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Season Overview

Throughout the season, every athlete recorded new personal bests, highlighting the team’s consistent progress from meet to meet. Sara Odierna led that improvement, lowering her personal best by more than two minutes over the course of the fall.

Sophia Kereky, Vivianna Cellini and Elena Guggemoos consistently formed a strong front pack, helping keep SPIRE competitive at each meet, from local invitationals to regional competition.

“I’m incredibly impressed by this young team,” head coach Michael Larkin said. “They worked together well from the first day of practice and competed with intensity in every race. The women capped the season with an excellent display of team running, with all of them finishing in the top 100 out of 767 runners at the regional meet. Aiden held it down on the men’s side, training and competing with great discipline. This group laid the foundation for becoming a nationally competitive team on the grass.”

The season also marked an important step in the continued growth of SPIRE’s athletics offerings.

“Launching our inaugural cross country season and seeing immediate progress speaks to the culture we’re building at SPIRE, one rooted in commitment, development and belief,” said the director of track, Tim Mack. “It showed our student athletes that new programs here can compete, improve and make an impact from day one.”

Legends Invitational Recap

SPIRE closed its regular season on Oct. 4 at the Legends Cross Country Invitational in Cortland, Ohio, racing in hot conditions with limited shade.

Cellini paced the women’s squad with a 12th place finish out of 155 runners, posting a time of 19:42.50. Guggemoos followed with a top 25 finish in 20:19.1, while Odierna continued her personal best streak with a time of 20:34.3.

On the men’s side, Aiden Palinkas competed in the open race, finishing 73rd out of 211 runners with a time of 17:57.5.

Regional Finale

SPIRE concluded its season at the Nike Cross Country Midwest Regional at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.

Kereky led the women’s team with a 27th place finish in the open division, crossing the line in 19:38.39. Guggemoos followed closely in 30th at 19:40.17, while Cellini placed 35th in 19:42.75. Odierna rounded out the performance with an 88th place finish in a personal best time of 20:15.04, completing a season in which she set a new personal best at every meet.

Palinkas represented SPIRE on the men’s side, finishing the regional race in 18:19.10.

What’s Next

With its first season complete, SPIRE’s cross country program now turns its focus to building on the foundation established this fall. After a year defined by steady improvement, competitive performances and a strong regional showing, the program enters the offseason positioned for continued growth as it looks to elevate its presence locally, regionally and nationally.

Watch XC vlog at the Nike Midwest Regional.