By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

Runners take part in the Wyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run at Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032116WintersEnd-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgRunners take part in the Wyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run at Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning.

Forty Fort’s Jeff Skwierz finished first at the Wyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run on Sunday at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Skwierz finished the 4.5-mile course in 23:43.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032116WintersEnd2-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgForty Fort’s Jeff Skwierz finished first at the Wyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run on Sunday at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Skwierz finished the 4.5-mile course in 23:43.

Wyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run first female was Marina Orrson. The Shavertown resident finished in 25:43.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032116WintersEnd3-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley Striders Winter’s End Run first female was Marina Orrson. The Shavertown resident finished in 25:43.

LEHMAN TWP. — Jeff Skwierz and Marina Orrson ran to their second straight victories in the Winter’s End Run on Sunday at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Skwierz, 33, of Forty Fort broke the tape in 23 minutes and 43 seconds. Mickey Moorhead, 22, of Wilkes-Barre, finished second in 25:16.

“I went out here today and just ran my own race,” said Skwierz, who was a standout runner for Hazleton Area High School and Lock Haven University. “I’m training for the Scranton Half Marathon (set for April 10). And I’ve been getting in a lot of good workouts. I’m a lot more fit than I was last year at this time. I led the entire way and never looked back. I was just focused on running a good time. I just wanted to see where I’m at.”

Last year, Skwierz’ winning time in the 4.5 miler was 25:09. Skwierz won more area races than any other male over the last two years. And he won the Valley’s Fastest Man series (featuring three 1-milers) the last two years.

Orrson won top female honors, finishing third overall in 25:43, setting a course record for the second straight year. Josey Rupert, 23, of Shickshinny, finished second among the females, with a seventh-place finish overall in 29:08.

“I’m preparing for the Boston Marathon (set for April 18),” said Orrson, who was a standout runner for Lake-Lehman High School and Misericordia University. “I went into today’s race, trying to beat my time from last year. And I believe I did.”

She did.

Orrson has been the area’s top female runner in recent years. She won the Valley’s Fastest Woman series the last three years, winning all nine 1-milers in wire-to-wire fashion. In her senior year at Misericordia, Orrson qualified for Division III Nationals in the 10K.

Wyoming Valley Striders 36th annual

Winter’s End (4.5 mile) Run results

Top 10 finishers

1. Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort, 23:43

2. Mickey Moorhead, 22, Wilkes-Barre, 25:16

3. Marina Orrson, 24, Shavertown, 25:43

4. Sean Robbins, 46, Shavertown, 28:09

5. Mike Adamshick, 37, Dallas, 28:20

6. Bob Muscovitch, 40, Jim Thorpe, 28:40

7. Josey Rupert, 23, Shickshinny, 29:08

8. Steve Boucher, 54, Zion Grove, 30:23

9. Josh Haden, 35, Hazleton, 30:26

10. Scott Skammer, 25, Dallas, 30:33

Top 3 female finishers

1. Marina Orrson, 24, Shavertown, 25:43

2. Jose Rupert, 23, Shickshinny, 29:08

3. Pat Buzinkai, 40, Kingston, 31:42

Male: Overall: Skwierz. Age group winners: 14 & under: Nick Pikul, Wilkes-Barre, 31:57. 15-19: Tony Demark, Duryea, 32:49. 20-24: Mickey Moorhead, Wilkes-Barre, 25:16. 25-29: Scott Skammer, Dallas, 30:33. 30-34: Scott Barnes, Dupont, 38:31. 35-39: Mike Adamshick,Dallas, 28:20. Masters Division: 40-44: Bob Muscovitch, Jim Thorpe, 28:40. 45-49: Sean Robbins, Shavertown, 28:09. 50-54: Steven Boucher, Zion Grove, 30:23. 55-59: Greg Bassham, Mountain Top, 31:23. 60-64: Rick Hueholt, Berwick, 37:23. 65-69: Ron Rawls, Mountain Top, 36:13. 70 & over: Tom Winter, Shavertown, 47:21.

Female: Overall: Orrson. 14 & under: Lauren Hurst, Dallas, 44:58. 15-19: Emily Anderson, Wilkes-Barre, 45:09. 20-24: Josey Rupert, Shickshinny, 29:08. 30-34: Lara Arndt, Stroudsburg, 32:27. 35-39: Karen Moskel, Kingston, 32:13. Masters Division: 40-44: Pat Buzinkai, Kingston, 31:42. 45-49: Brenda Logan, Bloomsburg, 33:45. 50-54: Richelle Fessler, Bloomsburg, 35:58. 55-59: Carma Flannery, Shavertown, 39:07. 60 & over: Joyce Foster, Dallas, 37:28.

Field: 108. Lead vehicle: Tony Korch. Starter, fonisher and timing: Vince P. Wojnar. Results: Vince A. Wojnar and Tony Pszeniczny (Wyoming Valley Striders). Race directors: John Martino and Don Grose.

Schedule

Sunday, April 3: Navient Ladders and Races 5K Run/Walk at Navient office building, Lasley Ave., Hanover Industrial Estates, Hanover Twp. at 9 a.m. Info: Heather Schlingman, 570-821-6064

Sunday, April 10: Scranton Half Marathon at Scranton High School Valor Credit Union Field at Memorial Stadium, 801 Providence Road, Scranton at 9 a.m. Info: 570-955-0921

Sunday, April 17: 5th annual Max Fine 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk at Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley, S. River St., Wilkes-Barre at 10:30 a.m. Info: maxfinememorial5k.com/contact.htm

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