By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

Emily Bell, 33, of Bear Creek Twp., makes her way across the finish line to grab first place among the females during the three-mile run in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TDP051616JewishRun2.jpg.optimal.jpgEmily Bell, 33, of Bear Creek Twp., makes her way across the finish line to grab first place among the females during the three-mile run in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Francis Walsh, 36, of Scranton, stretches after he finishes the three-mile race in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TDP051616JewishRun3.jpg.optimal.jpgFrancis Walsh, 36, of Scranton, stretches after he finishes the three-mile race in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Jeff Skwierz, 33, of Forty Fort, hustles towards the finish line on River Street in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Skwierz was the overall first-place finisher in 15:02 at the River Street 3 Mile Run on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TDP051616JewishRun1.jpg.optimal.jpgJeff Skwierz, 33, of Forty Fort, hustles towards the finish line on River Street in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Skwierz was the overall first-place finisher in 15:02 at the River Street 3 Mile Run on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

WILKES-BARRE — Jeff Skwierz and Emily Bell successfully defended their crowns, winning the River Street 3 Mile Run on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

Skwierz, of Forty Fort , led a field of 73 runners, battling strong winds and hail, winning overall honors in 15 minutes and two seconds.

“Conditions weren’t the best with the wind and hail,” the 33-year-old said. “The whole way out, I found myself dealing with the wind and hail. I just wanted to run a good race. I was hoping to finish in 15 (minutes). I finished in just over that mark.”

The win was Skwierz’s third in the JCC race, a flat and fast course that goes mostly through the streets of south Wilkes-Barre.

Joe Cardillo, 56, of Dunmore, finished a distant second, nearly three minutes behind Skwierz. Doug Powell, 49, of Moosic, pulled in third, nine seconds behind Cardillo.

Bell, 33, of Bear Creek Township, won top female honors, finishing in ninth place overall in 19:54.

“Now that I’ve won this race again, I believe we can say last year’s win wasn’t just a fluke,” said Bell with a smile after the race.

Sherri Yelen, 44, of Kingston, a past winner in the JCC race, finished second, 18 seconds behind Bell. Shelby Foster, 22, of Dallas, finished third, 18 seconds behind Yelen.

“Sherri and I ran together over the first mile,” Bell said. “That’s when I started to pick it up and pulled away a bit. After that, I just gradually increased my lead. I felt good towards the later part of the race. I ran 6:12 over the last mile. That was my best mile.”

Yelen recently finished the Boston Marathon in 3:35 — a personal best for her in “The Race.” And she scored a 1:13-finishing time in the Broad Street 10 Miler in Philadelphia.

Twenty-five women from the Wyoming Valley Striders “Couch to 5K” running group participated in the JCC race. The group, which was formed by the Striders to encourage people to become more active — off the couch and onto the race course, is coached by Karen Moskel, who is the cross country coach for Susquehanna Prep. Moskel, 37, of Kingston, finished fourth in 20:47.

Jewish Community Center’s River Street 3 Mile Run results

Top 10

Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort, 15:02

Joe Cardillo, 56, Dunmore, 18:01

Doug Powell, 49, Moosic, 18:10

Mark Sommons, 23, Ashley, 18:16

A repel Forer, 18, Wilkes-Barre, 18:55

Tony DeMark, 17, Duryea, 19:19

Steve Walski, 34, W. Wyoming, 19:21

Stephen Potter, 23, Mocanaqua, 19:52

Emily Bell, 33, Bear Creek Twp., 19:54

Greg Bassham, 57, Mountain Top, 19:58

Male award winners: Overall: Skwierz. Age group winners: 14 & under: 1. C.J. DeMark, Duryea, 25:05. 15-19: 1. Arvemel Forer, Wilkes-Barre, 18:55. 20-29: 1. Mark Sommons, Ashley, 18:16; 2. Stephen Potter, Mocanaqua, 19:52. 30-34: 1. Steve Walski, W. Wyoming, 19:21. 35-39: 1. Fran Walsh, Scranton, 21:45; 2. Thomas Sivahop, Pittston, 24:05. Masters division: 40-44: None. 45-49: 1. Doug Powell, Moosic, 18:10; 2. Don Sherrer, W. Pittston, 20:50. 50-59: 1. Joe Cardillo, Dunmore, 18:01; 2. Greg Bassham, Mountain Top, 19:58. 60-69: 1. Ron Jayne, Meshoppen, 32:31. 70 & over: 1. George Cosmetis, Dalton, 24:28.

Top 3 females

Emily Bell, 33, Bear Creek Twp., 19:54

Sherri Yelen, 44, Kingston, 20:12

Shelby Foster, 22, Dallas, 20:31

Female award winners: Overall: Bell. Age group winners: 14 & Under: 1. Caitrin Mullisky, Mountain Top, 23:13. 15-19: 1. Paige Kupsky, 22:17. 20-29: 1. Shelby Foster, Dallas, 20:31; 2. Sara Campa, Mount Pocono, 33:13. 30-34: 1. Leah Malesinski, Pittston, 29:28; 2. Alexis Shipula, Hanover Twp., 42:24. 35-39: 1. Karen Moskel, Kingston, 20:47; 2. Lynn Eckrote, Drums, 23:46. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Sherri Yelen, Kingston, 20:12; 2. Erin Griffin, Kingston, 21:06. 45-49: 1. Meredith Vincelli, Dallas, 30:14; 2. Marilyn Bezek, Kingston, 34:33. 50-59: 1. Bev Tomasak, Edwardsville, 24:48; 2. Barb Rupert, Shickshinny, 30:08. 60-69: None. 70 & over: None.

5K Walk

First finisher: Jeff Knutson, Saylorsburg, 34:27.

Field: 73 (run), 10 (walk). Official starter and finisher: Vince P. Wojnar. Timing: Vince A. Wojnar. Results: Insta Results. Race director: Bill Buzza.

Schedule

Saturday: Wilkes-Barre Racing at Harveys Lake have been canceled.

Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day): Old Fort 5 Miler at Betty Mascelli Borough Park, Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort at 9 a.m. Info: Bernie Popson, 570-498-7665.

Saturday, June 4: West Pittston Anthracite 4 Mile Run at West Pittston Borough building, Exeter Ave., W. Pittston at 9 a.m. Info: Don Sherrer, 570-357-9944.

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