Skwierz, Cameron win 5th Annual Max Fine

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

Runners take off at the start of the 5th annual Max Fine 5K run on Sunday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041816Max-Fine1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgRunners take off at the start of the 5th annual Max Fine 5K run on Sunday.

Jeff Skwierz, 33 of Forty Fort sets a new course record in 15:25 at the 5th annual Max Fine on Sunday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041816Max-Fine2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJeff Skwierz, 33 of Forty Fort sets a new course record in 15:25 at the 5th annual Max Fine on Sunday.

Kelsey Cameron, 25 of Pringle, was was the top female finisher in the Max Fine 5k. Cameron finished the race in 20:26.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041816Max-Fine3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKelsey Cameron, 25 of Pringle, was was the top female finisher in the Max Fine 5k. Cameron finished the race in 20:26.

WILKES-BARRE — Jeff Skwierz and Kelsey Cameron ran to wins in the 5th annual Max Fine Memorial 5K Run on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

Skwierz broke the tape in 15 minutes and 25 seconds, setting a course record, knocking 25 seconds off Nick Wadas’ mark from the 2014 race.

“I’m still feeling it from running in the Scranton Half Marathon a week ago,” he said. “So I wasn’t sure how I would do. Going into the race, I just wanted to go out here today and see how I would do in a shorter distance race.”

Once the 33-year-old Forty Fort resident got going, the going got real good.

“I could see that I was on pace for breaking the course record,” Skwierz said. “So I kept going after it. And I got it.”

Skwierz won more area races than any other male last season. He ran for Hazleton Area High School and Lock Haven University. He’s a member of the Susquehanna River Runners Club and the Keystone Track club (Harrisburg).

Robert Moulton, 23, of Mountain Top, finished second, 18 seconds behind Skwierz. The 23-year-old from Mountain Top ran for Crestwood High School and King’s College, and is an assistant track and field coach and the head cross country coach at Crestwood.

Kyle Suponcic, 25, of Shavertown, finished third in 17:06.

Cameron won the female division in wire-to-wire fashion, finishing in 20:26.

“I went out fast, hoping to run at a 6:30 pace over the first mile,” said Cameron, 25, of Pringle. “But I finished the first mile in 6:15, a bit faster than I wanted — the guys pull you. I picked it up over the last mile and increased my lead over the girl running in second place. And I reached my goal — finishing in the low 20s.”

Miss Northeastern Pennsylvania, Kaitlyn Miller, won the 20-24 age group, clocking in at 24:32

Max Fine died in 2011 at the age of 61 from muscular dystrophy.

“We started the race in his memory the next year,” said Max Fine’s widow, Sandy. “We’ve raised around $20,000 over the first four years. Our goal for this race is $7,500, I hope we reach or exceed it.”

Times Leader assistant news editor, Joe Soprano, continued his training for this year’s Wilkes-Barre Triathlon (swim, bike, run) with a 28-minute finish. Soprano, who is an avid biker, has been training hard on running and swimming. He finished the sprint version of the triathlon last year. This year, he hopes to tackle the tougher Olympic distance.

5th annual Max Fine Memorial 5K Run results

Top 3 male finishers

1. Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort, 15:25

2. Robert Moulton, 23, Mountain Top, 15:43

3. Kyle Suponcic, 25, Shavertown, 17:06

Male age group winners: 14 & under: 1. Nathan Ridgley, 20:12; 2. Jack Lukasavage, 22:24. 15-19: 1. Tony Demark, 19:44; 2. Jacob Aldridge, 19:49. 20-24: 1. Dustin Rovacazewski, 29:47. 25-29: 1. Brian Stubbs, 23:09. 30-34: 1. William Wolfe, 20:02; 2. Bryan Herbst, 21:00. 35-39: 1. Brian Hilburt, 20:55; 2. Jon Stephenson, 29:55. Masters division 40-49: 1. Doug Powell, 18:40; 2. Don Shearer, 21:11; 2. 50-59: 1. George Dunbar, 20:29; 2. Kevin Moran, 23:50. 60-69: 1. Ron Rawls, 23:15; 2. Ron Ruda, 27:37. 70 & over: 1. Tom Winter, 30:06.

Top female finishers

1. Kelsey Cameron, 25, Pringle, 20:26

2. Emily Bell, 30-34, Bear Creek Twp., 20:34

3. Jamie Barker, 35-39, Mountain Top, 21:28

Female age group winners: 14 & under: 1. Lessly Ortiz, 22:08; 2. Sidney McNeal, 22:11. 15-19: 1. Lucy Shemo, 26:59. 20-24: 1. Kaitlyn Miller, 24:32; 2. Amy Polachek, 26:46. 25-29: 1. Jaclyn Rawlings, 22:43; 2. Tessa Mederios, 26:16. 30-34: 1. Amy Feldman, 23:29; 2. Angela Giambra, 25:49. 35-39: 1. Christal Zermane, 21:52; 2. Brenda Karvitch, 22:36. Masters division 40-49: 1. Kerry Zawadski, 23:19; 2. Heidi Pollack, 23:24. 50-59: 1. Johanna Gelb, 28:15; 2. Libby Moran, 28:44. 60-69: 1. Bev Tomasak, 25:10.

Field: 150 (runners and walkers). Starter: Mike Fine (race director). Timing and results: Second Wind Race Timing (secondwindtiming.com).

Schedule

Sunday, May 1: Wyoming Valley Striders 42nd annual Cherry Blossom 5 Mile Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk “Tim Thomas Memorial” at Kirby Park at 10 a.m. Info: Traci Strungis, 570-470-3612.

Sunday May 8: Wyoming Valley Striders 25th annual Spring Trail Run (a 5.3 mile age group handicap graded race) “Jen Stec Memorial” at the pavilion, near the boat launch areea, of Frances Slocum State Park, Kingston Twp. at noon. Info: Linda Wojnar, 570-262-0603.

Sunday, May 15: River Street 3 Mile Run/Walk at the Jewish Community Center, S. River St., Wilkes-Barre at 10:30 a.m. Info: Bill Buzza, 570-824-4646.

Reach Times Leader sports at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @tlsports.