Advertisement

Delaware's fastest: The best high school distance runners ever ranked 75-31

brandon holveck, delaware news journal
·7 min read

There were 54 boys in the first Delaware cross-country state championship, a 2.3-mile test at Rockford Park in Wilmington.

Conrad's Jerry Quigg and Bob Satterfield placed second and third behind Salesianum's Vic Zwolak to lead Conrad to the team title.

Twenty-seven years later, Delaware hosted its first girls cross-country state championship. Caesar Rodney senior Shelley Smith, who had already established herself as one of Delaware's best in fall invitationals and on the track, won the Killens Pond 5k in a time that would have slotted third among all runners at the most recent state meet at Killens four decades later. Padua won the first of its 24 team titles.

Since then, thousands of Delawareans have tested themselves in cross country and track and field. We have attempted to craft a list of the 75 greatest distance runners — those who set records, won championships and led the state's best teams.

As with all rankings, the process was an imperfect science. I hope you'll see the project as an attempt, in some way, to tell the story of the sport of running in Delaware through its greatest figures.

Padua's Mary-Katherine Dorsey wins the girls Division I race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships in 2021.
Padua's Mary-Katherine Dorsey wins the girls Division I race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships in 2021.

75. Mary-Katherine Dorsey, Padua, 2022

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 4 individual outdoor track state titles, 1 Meet of Champions win

Padua's Elizabeth Bader wins the girls Division I race with a time of 19:21.69 at the DIAA Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at Brandywine Creek State Park.
Padua's Elizabeth Bader wins the girls Division I race with a time of 19:21.69 at the DIAA Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at Brandywine Creek State Park.

74. Elizabeth Bader, Padua, 2020

🏆 2019 cross country state MVP

⌚ 19th all-time 1,600 meters (4:57.58), 27th 800 meters (2:15.28), 28th 3,200 meters (11:05.56)

73. Tim Talley, Salesianum, 1982

🥇 1980 and 1981 DI cross country champion

72. Dave Byers, Dickinson, 1986

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 3 individual outdoor track titles

Emily Frydrych of St. Marks leads Charter of Wilmington's Julie Macedo early in the run of the Varsity Girls A Division of the Lake Forest Invitational in 2010 which Macedo eventually won.
Emily Frydrych of St. Marks leads Charter of Wilmington's Julie Macedo early in the run of the Varsity Girls A Division of the Lake Forest Invitational in 2010 which Macedo eventually won.

71. Emily Frydrych, Saint Mark's, 2011

⌚ 9th all-time 1,600 meters (4:53.47), 14th 800 meters (2:14.41), 24th 3,200 meters (11:02.70)

Greg Morrin of Saint Mark's wins the Division I boys cross country state meet at White Clay Creek in 2008.
Greg Morrin of Saint Mark's wins the Division I boys cross country state meet at White Clay Creek in 2008.

70. Greg Morrin, Saint Mark's, 2009

🏆 2008 cross country state MVP

⌚ 18th all-time 3,200 meters (9:18.04)

69. Andrew Hally, Salesianum, 2016

⌚ 11th all-time 3,200 meters (9:14.39), 13th 1,600 meters (4:14.84)

🏆 2016 indoor track and field MVP

68. Sean Kelleher, Mount Pleasant, 1977

⌚ 11th all-time 800 meters (1:53.10)

👍 Held 800 state record from 1977 to 1983

67. Zach Chupa, A.I. du Pont, 1994

🏆 Cross country state MVP in 1992 and 1993

Middletown’s Isabelle Walsh wins the Division I girls 1,600 at the DIAA Track & Field Championships at Dover High on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Middletown’s Isabelle Walsh wins the Division I girls 1,600 at the DIAA Track & Field Championships at Dover High on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

66. Isabelle Walsh, Middletown, 2024

⌚ State record for the indoor 800 meters (2:11.44) and 1,600 meters (4:49.10*)

⌚ 7th all-time (outdoors) 1,600 meters (4:51.58), 8th 800 meters (2:12.10)

65. Scott Warden, Tower Hill, 1995

🥇 1994 DII cross country champion

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, including 1995 DII distance sweep

64. Chris Wetherhold, Lake Forest, 1971

🏆 First-ever 4-time first team All-State cross country honoree

🥇 Won 50 consecutive dual meets, according to the Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame

63. Theresa Marini, Padua, 1989

🥇 1986 and 1987 DI cross country champion

Tatnall girls cross country team works out Wednesday August 27, 2008 (from left) Katie Oldham, Katie Buenaga, Juliet Bottorff and Allison Calvarese.
Tatnall girls cross country team works out Wednesday August 27, 2008 (from left) Katie Oldham, Katie Buenaga, Juliet Bottorff and Allison Calvarese.

62. Katie Buenaga, Tatnall, 2009

⌚ 11th all-time 1600 meters (4:55.34), 17th 800 meters (2:14.76)

61. Katie Kershner, Tatnall, 2008

🥇 4 individual state outdoor track titles, 3 Meet of Champions wins

⌚ 12th all-time 1,600 meters (4:55.69)

Archmere's Colleen Carney races to the finish line in the DIAA Division II Girls Cross Country State Championship at White Clay Creek State Park on Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2014. Carney won with a time of 19:18.12.
Archmere's Colleen Carney races to the finish line in the DIAA Division II Girls Cross Country State Championship at White Clay Creek State Park on Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2014. Carney won with a time of 19:18.12.

60. Colleen Carney, Archmere, 2015

⌚ 8th all-time 3200 meters (10:39.06), 21st 1600 meters (4:59.11)

🥇 2014 DII cross country champion, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

Amanda Rickert of Charter of Wilmington tops Maintenance Hill with the lead during the DIAA Division I girls state championship, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at Brandywine Creek State Park. She completed the course in 19:58 for the title.
Amanda Rickert of Charter of Wilmington tops Maintenance Hill with the lead during the DIAA Division I girls state championship, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at Brandywine Creek State Park. She completed the course in 19:58 for the title.

59. Amanda Rickert, Charter of Wilmington, 2013

⌚ 7th all-time 3,200 meters (10:38.70), 15th 1,600 meters (4:56.53)

🥇 2012 DI cross country champion, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

58. Shelley Smith, Caesar Rodney, 1982

🥇 Won first ever girls cross country state championship in 1981

🥇 3 individual outdoor track state titles

57. Ben Boswell, Tatnall, 2015

⌚ 5th all-time 800 meters (1:52.07), 11th 1,600 meters (4:14.33)

🥇 3 individual outdoor track state titles

Charter School of Wilmington's Andrew Avila finishes first in the 2019 Joe O'Neill Invitational at Bellevue State Park. Avila finished with a time of 15:28:30.
Charter School of Wilmington's Andrew Avila finishes first in the 2019 Joe O'Neill Invitational at Bellevue State Park. Avila finished with a time of 15:28:30.

56. Andrew Avila, Charter of Wilmington, 2020

⌚ 6th all-time 3200 meters (9:06.67)

🏆 4-time first team All-State cross country, 2019 cross country state MVP

55. Dan Foran, Mount Pleasant, 1984

🥇 3 individual outdoor track state titles, 1983 DII cross country champion

⌚ 18th all-time 3,200 meters (9:18.00*)

54. Sallie Beth Johnson, Sussex Central, 1993

🏆 1992 cross country state MVP

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles

👍 Held 3,200 indoor state record from 1993 to 2005

Steve Sinko, right, with Fusion Inclusion pushes Nick Scarberry during the 55th annual Caesar Rodney Half Marathon Sunday in Wilmington. In high school at Saint Mark's, Sinko won three individual outdoor track and field state titles.
Steve Sinko, right, with Fusion Inclusion pushes Nick Scarberry during the 55th annual Caesar Rodney Half Marathon Sunday in Wilmington. In high school at Saint Mark's, Sinko won three individual outdoor track and field state titles.

53. Steve Sinko, Saint Mark's, 1994

🥇 3 individual outdoor track state titles

👍 Held 800 indoor state record from 1994 to 2015

Delcastle's Mark Walker receives the relay baton. He won co-MVP honors in outdoor track and field in 1987 and five individual outdoor track and field state titles.
Delcastle's Mark Walker receives the relay baton. He won co-MVP honors in outdoor track and field in 1987 and five individual outdoor track and field state titles.

52. Mark (Jenkins) Walker, Delcastle, 1988

🥇 5 individual outdoor track state titles

🏆 Co-MVP in outdoor track and field in 1987

51. Colleen Taylor, Ursuline, 2001

🥇 6 individual outdoor track state titles, including four straight in the DI 1,600

⌚ 16th all-time 1,600 meters (4:57.06)

Tatnall's Declan McDonnell leads the DIAA 2020 Cross Country Boy's Division II Championship at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.
Tatnall's Declan McDonnell leads the DIAA 2020 Cross Country Boy's Division II Championship at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.

50. Declan McDonnell, Tatnall, 2021

⌚ 6th all-time 1,600 meters (4:12.77), 28th 3,200 meters (9:23.01)

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 2 individual outdoor track titles

49. Monica Witterholt, Saint Mark's, 1985

⌚ 10th all-time 1,600 meters (4:55.00*), 18th 800 meters (2:14.80)

Salesianum's Ryan Banko wins the Division I boys race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships in 2021.
Salesianum's Ryan Banko wins the Division I boys race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships in 2021.

48. Ryan Banko, Salesianum, 2021

⌚ 8th all-time 1,600 meters (4:13.89), 12th 3,200 meters (9:16.46)

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

Tatnall's Nicolas Pizarro leads teammate Andre Latina and the rest of the field en route to winning the Division II 800 meter run during the DIAA state high school track and field championships Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Dover High School.
Tatnall's Nicolas Pizarro leads teammate Andre Latina and the rest of the field en route to winning the Division II 800 meter run during the DIAA state high school track and field championships Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Dover High School.

47. Nicolas Pizarro, Tatnall, 2022

⌚ 2nd all-time 800 meters (1:50.90), 22nd 1,600 meters (4:17.35), 21st 3,200 meters (9:18.77)

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, won 800 meters at 2022 Meet of Champions

🏆 2022 indoor track and field state MVP

46. Jill Hajec, Caesar Rodney, 2002

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 4 individual outdoor track titles

Ryan Lee of Archmere comes up the hill to finish the win at the 2009 New Castle County Championships at Winterthur Estate.
Ryan Lee of Archmere comes up the hill to finish the win at the 2009 New Castle County Championships at Winterthur Estate.

45. Ryan Lee, Archmere, 2010

⌚ 8th all-time 3,200 meters (9:12.19); held state record for two years

🏆 2009 cross country state MVP

Tyler Tate wins a 1,600 race at the New Castle County meet at Baynard Stadium.
Tyler Tate wins a 1,600 race at the New Castle County meet at Baynard Stadium.

44. Tyler Tate, Tatnall, 2011

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, 3 Meet of Champions wins

⌚ 8th fastest cross country 5k (15:22.8), 12th 800 meters (1:53.15)

Pat Hally of Salesianum sprints to the finish line at the Joe O'Neill Invitational at Bellevue State Park in 2011.
Pat Hally of Salesianum sprints to the finish line at the Joe O'Neill Invitational at Bellevue State Park in 2011.

43. Pat Hally, Salesianum, 2014

🏆 2013 cross country state MVP

⌚ 9th fastest cross country 5k (15:23.0), 10th 3,200 meters (9:14.38)

42. Lisa Klein, Tower Hill/Tatnall, 2005

🥇 4 individual cross country state titles; first in Delaware to achieve feat

Salesianum's Ethan Walther wins the boys division I race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Brandywine Creek State Park.
Salesianum's Ethan Walther wins the boys division I race at the DIAA Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Brandywine Creek State Park.

41. Ethan Walther, DMA/Salesianum, 2025

⌚ State records for indoor 800 meters (1:54.90), 1,600 meters (4:12.92*) and 3,200 meters (9:15.44)

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

Tiffany Herrera of Saint Mark's wins the 2020 DIAA girls Division II cross country championship at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.
Tiffany Herrera of Saint Mark's wins the 2020 DIAA girls Division II cross country championship at Killens Pond State Park in Felton.

40. Tiffany Herrera, Saint Mark's, 2022

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, 3 Meet of Champions wins

🏆 2020 cross country state MVP, 2021 outdoor track and field MVP

39. KeAira Dickerson, Delcastle, 2007

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, 3 Meet of Champions wins

⌚ 6th all-time 800 meters (2:11.81); held state record for five years

38. Tricia Dendy, Howard, 1990

🥇 6 individual outdoor track state titles, 1988 DII cross country champion

37. Jamie Mance, Mount Pleasant, 1995

🥇 2 individual cross country state titles, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

🏆 1994 cross country state MVP

Lindsey Olivere from Archmere crosses the finish line at the 2010 Lake Forest Cross Country Invitational was held at Killens Pond State Park.
Lindsey Olivere from Archmere crosses the finish line at the 2010 Lake Forest Cross Country Invitational was held at Killens Pond State Park.

36. Lindsey Olivere, Archmere, 2011

⌚ 4th all-time 3,200 meters (10:31.38*), 4th cross country 5k (17:23.2), 14th 1,600 meters (4:56.33)

🏆 3-time first team All-State cross country

35. Eric Hamilton, Dickinson, 1983

🥇 1982 DI cross country champ, 1982 DI 3200-meter champion

⌚ 15th all-time 3,200 meters (9:17.58*)

34. Jack Hagood, Tatnall, 2014

🥇 4 individual outdoor track state titles, 2 Meet of Champions wins

⌚ 7th all-time cross country 5k (15:19.6), 9th 3,200 meters (9:12.35), 16th 1,600 meters (4:15.92)

Delcastle's Cornelius "Cutter" Jones won two state MVP awards in cross country.
Delcastle's Cornelius "Cutter" Jones won two state MVP awards in cross country.

33. Cornelius Jones, Delcastle, 1990

🏆 Cross country state MVP in 1987 and 1988

🥇 1988 DI 3200-meter champion

32. Eric Eckstrand, Salesianum, 2000

🏆 Cross country state MVP in 1998 and 1999

🥇 1999 DI 1,600-meter champion, 2000 DI 3,200-meter champion

👍 The only Delawarean to have run under 16 minutes at White Clay from 1998 to 2014

31. Katy Himelreich, Archmere, 1987

🥇 3 individual cross country state titles, 3 individual outdoor track state titles

Asterisks denote converted times as they appear on the state's all time performance list. Wins at state individual finals (contested from 1977 to 1983) are considered Meet of Champions wins for accounting purposes as both are combined Division I and Division II competitions. A Meet of Champions was not contested between 1983 and 2001. Listed times are outdoor performances unless otherwise noted.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on X and Instagram @holveck_brandon. Follow him on TikTok @bholveck.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware track and field: The greatest distance runners ranked