RUNNERS FINISH IN RARE TIE ON BEACH - Marin Independent Journal

PREP CROSS COUNTRY

RUNNERS FINISH IN RARE TIE ON BEACH

Tam’s Ruark, AW’s Sharp tie in boys race at season-opening relays

Lucas Ruark of Tamalpais runs during the Stinson Beach Relay cross country race at Stinson Beach Park at Stinson Beach on Wednesday. PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN — SPECIAL TO THE MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

Audrey Spaly of Branson takes off for her leg during the Stinson Beach Relay cross country race at Stinson Beach Park at Stinson Beach on Wednesday.

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By Derek Wilson

dwilson@marinij.com

When the times came in on windswept Stinson Beach, coaches had to check — and then double-check, just to make sure there was no error.

Archie Williams High’s Ian Sharp and Tam’s Lucas Ruark finished their individual legs of the race at 8 minutes, 23 seconds, the first time in recent memory there has been a tie for the fastest individual boys time at the annual Stinson Beach Relays, which dates back to the 1970s.

“The rivalry will definitely continue,” said Sharp, who helped his Peregrine Falcons squad to the overall boys victory at the relays. “Just because we won this doesn’t mean (Tam) won’t win in the future. It’s definitely a very competitive rivalry. I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season and racing against these guys.”

The Tam boys finished second overall, with third-place Caeden Gardner (8:26) and sixth-place Marco Zink (8:35) joining the top 10. Redwood followed in third place, led by fourth-place finisher Nick Kemsley (8:31) and 10th-place finisher Justin Sherm (8:43).

The Falcons’ Sean Chamberlain (8:34) rounded out the top five, with teammate Ryan Seeley in seventh (8:36). San Rafael’s Teo Cristea placed eighth with San Marin junior Justin Catanach ninth.The competition was tight for the girls title as the Branson School’s Audrey Spaly finished in 9:32, with Tam’s Emma Gardner (9:37), Redwood’s Sydney Middleton (9:40), Archie Williams’ Ani Stieg (9:49) and the Giants’ Kate Kozubik (10:01.7) rounding out the top five.

The Redwood girls celebrated in the surf after breaking the tape at the makeshift finish line: literally, a line drawn in the sand. Tam took second place, with Branson third.

“This was a good team win,” Kozubik said, with Middleton adding her approval. “We really bonded as a team over this race, and that’s what cross country is all about. We do this for the team, not for personal times.”

Giants freshman Rose Mueller finished in 10:30.23 to help her squad take the win.

“This was so fun. I feel so good,” Mueller said of her first experience with the Stinson Beach Relays.