WEST PITTSTON — After struggling over the last few years, Chris Wadas is back on top. The 34-year-old Misericordia University track and cross country coach ran to victory in the West Pittston Anthracite 4 Mile Run on Saturday, breaking the tape in 20 minutes and 52 seconds.
He outran second-place finisher, Chris McCabe, 26, of Lancaster, by 1:02. Kyle Suponcic, 26, of Shavertown, finished third, 2:51 behind McCabe.
“(McCabe) and I ran together over the first mile,” said Wadas, of Courtdale. “I put on a surge over the second mile and opened up a lead. When I looked back, I figured I had between a 10-15 second lead.”
Wadas maintained a good pace the rest of the way.
“I pushed the up hills conservatively, but not too conservatively,” he said. “I felt pretty controlled over the final sections of the race. I realize now that I probably held back a little too much. If I could race that final mile all over again, I would push a bit more and probably would have been able to finish under 20:50. But, a win is a win.”
Wadas’ win was his sixth in the 4 miler.
Marina Orrson made a wrong turn about 3 miles into the race which added about an extra 300 yards to her trek. But it didn’t matter, the 25-year-old from Shavertown still won top female honors easily with a fourth-place overall finish in 24:49.
Kelsey Cameron, 25, of Pringle, finished second among the females, finishing seventh overall in 26:44. Michelle Falzone, 35, of West Pittston, pulled in third in the female division, clocking in at 28:34.
“That’s OK,” said Orrson with a smile when asked about making a wrong turn. “I probably added an extra minute to my finishing time. But that’s all right.”
Orrson went into the race, hoping to get in a good training run.
“I went out hard hoping to get a good time,” said the former standout runner from Lake-Lehman High School and Misericordia University. “I tried to stick with Kyle because we ran together in Forty Fort (Old Fort 5 Miler on Memorial Day). But I think the heat and humidity also cut into my time. It wore me down a bit.”
Wadas, Suponcic, Orrson and Cameron all run for the Susquehanna River Runners Club and the Keystone Track Club in Harrisburg. McCabe ran track and played linebacker on the Wyoming Area High School football team.
39th annual West Pittston
Anthracite 4 Mile Run results
Top 10
Chris Wadas, 34, Courtdale, 20:52
Chris McCabe, 26, Lancaster, 21:54
Kyle Suponcic, 26, Shavertown, 24:45
Marina Orrson, 25, Shavertown, 24:49
Paul O’Hora, 43, Scranton, 24:56
Bryan Fauver, 30, Moosic, 26:34
Kelsey Cameron, 25, Pringle, 26:44
Nathan Searfoss, 15, Wilkes-Barre, 26:55
Ryan Grochal, 33, Harding, 27:01
Bryan Herbst, 34, Mountain Top, 27:02
Male award winners: Overall: Wadas, McCabe Suponcic. Age group winners: 14 & under: 1. Woodie Kupsky, Bear Creek Twp., 33:00; 2. Nick Babish, Chambersburg; 42:31; 3. Matt Babish, Chambersburg, 43:39. 15-19: 1. Nathan Searfoss, Wilkes-Barre, 26:55; 2. Preston Shearer, Montoursville, 28:33. 20-24: 1. James Burroughs, Conshohocken, 34:31. 25-29: 1. Kevin Curry, Pittston, 28:54. 30-34: 1. Bryan Fauver, Moosic, 26:34; 2. Ryan Grochal, Harding, 27:01; 3. Bryan Herbst, Mountain Top, 27:02. 35-39: 1. David Ruggles, W. Pittston, 30:40. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Paul O’Hora, Scranton, 24:56; 2. John Kearns, W. Pittston, 27:53; 3. John Zawadski, Luzerne, 29:46. 45-49: 1. Don Nelson, Shickshinny, 27:40; 2. John Jeddic, Hanover Twp., 28:04; 3. Paul Shaffer, W. Pittston, 28:17. 50-54: 1. Chet Shearer, Montoursville, 30:17; 2. Bob Bilbow, W. Wyoming, 30:48; 3. Matt Domines, Old Forge, 32:21. 55-59: 1. Don Lavin, Scranton, 28:47; 2. Bob Warnagiris, Hunlock Creek, 29:27; 3. Kevin Moran, Harveys Lake, 32:32. 60-64: 1. Rich Owens, Wilkes-Barre, 32:16; 2. John Semcheski, Larksville, 34:51; 3. Mike Sesinski, Laflin, 44:06. 65-69: 1. Ron Rawls, Mountain Top, 33:02; 2. Len Matysczok, Wyoming, 33:09; 3. Tom Kilcullen, Fleetville, 38:42. 70 & over: 1. Len Sowinski, Scott Twp., 31:48; 2. Roy Faust, W. Pittston, 41:49; 3. Joe Naughton, Pocono Pines, 43:15.
Top 3 female finishers
Marina Orrson, 25, Shavertown, 24:49
Kelsey Cameron, 25, Pringle, 26:44
Michelle Falzone, 35, W. Pittston, 28:34
Female award winners: Overall: Orrson, Cameron, Falzone. Age group winners: 14 & under: 1. Aubriana Marrianca, Exeter, 29:58; 2. Kristen Carter, Mountain Top, 38:44; 3. Clare Griffin, Kingston, 39:29. 15-19: 1. Paige Kupsky, Bear Creek Twp., 32:01; 2. Erica Carter, Mountain Top, 43:33; 3. Kaleigh Shission, W. Wyoming, 44:15. 20-24: 1. Julie Musto, Exeter, 32:15; 2. Madison Shearer, Montoursville, 39:37; 3. Faith Musinski, W. Pittston, 44:33. 25-29: 1. Heather McAndrew, Pittston Twp., 32:08; 2. Rebecca Ruggles, W. Pittston, 34:05; 3. Samantha Mumar, W. Pittston, 38:57. 30-34: 1. Miranda Costa, Drums, 30:47; 2. Ellen Meehan, Wilkes-Barre, 34:12; 3. Angela Giambra, Exeter, 38:28. 35-39: 1. Stefanie Auiviese, W. Pittston, 34:14; 2. Lynda Chistopher, Trucksville, 37:40; 3. Jenn Riordan, Pocono Lake, 39:13. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Erin Griffin, Kingston, 28:57; 2. Jessica Joseph, Dallas, 30:30; 3. Kelly Zawadski, Luzerne, 31:00. 45-49: 1. Traci Strungis, Mountain Top, 31:55; 2. Meredith Vincelli, Dallas, 41:40; 3. Julie Dunham, Blakeslee, 44:49. 50-54: 1. Carleen Lavin, Scranton, 32:06; 2. Donna Biglin, Moscow, 35:03; 3. Debra Padavano, Scranton, 43:30. 55-59: 1. Jane Colwell, W. Pittston, 40:03. 60-64: 1. Joyce Foster, Dallas, 35:01. 65-69: None. 70 & over: None.
Field: 106. Starter: Charlie Burns. Timing: Vince Wojnar (Wyoming Valley Striders). Timing and results: Insta Results. Race director: Don Shearer.
Schedule
Sunday, June 19: 13th annual Wilkes-Barre Duathlon (5K run, 16-mile bike, 5K run) at Wilkes-Barre Public Square at 7:30 a.m. Info: Wilkes-Barre YMCA, 570-208-9622.
Monday, July 4 (Independence Day): Wilkes-Barre YMCA 3 Mile Run/Walk, starting on S. River Street at 8:30 a.m. And finishing at Wilkes-Barre Public Square. Info: Wilkes-Barre YMCA, 570-208-9622.
