Warren opens season at HOKA Showcase
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GENEVA, Ohio -- The Warren High boys and girls cross country teams kicked off their 2026 campaigns Saturday at the HOKA Night XC Showcase at the SPIRE Institute.
The 14-division race featured over 2,000 total runners with more than 100 schools in attendance, making for an extremely competitive event. The highly anticipated event is unique because it is run in the evening under the lights, offering a different type of atmosphere from what the runners are used to.
A whopping 396 runners ran in the girls division. Representing the Dragons were senior duo Emma Peterson and Adi Cullers. Peterson's time of 20:20.93 was good for 66th overall and Cullers' pace of 24:44.27 landed her in 325th place.
"Emma ran a great first race of the season," said head coach Michelle Johnson. "She ran almost two minutes faster than she did at this race last year. Adi Cullers is coming off of an ACL surgery, and ran very well."
The boys division featured 423 runners. Pacing the Dragons was Cole Fitzgerald's time of 17:22.35, good for 114th place. Just 4.51 seconds behind was Leyton Salvatore, who finished in the 125th spot. Also competing was Chase Fetzeck (232nd), Grayson Collopy (265th) and Levi Peterson (348th).
"Cole and Leyton ran great races for their first invite of the year," Johnson said. "Senior Chase Fetzeck is already three minutes ahead of where he was last year at this time and this is only his second ever cross country season. Grayson Collopy, in addition to Adi, is working through a hip injury from track and field, but both are getting back to where they were and are already close to previous opening season times. Levi (Peterson) also started his season out faster than last year"
The Dragons have some time off then are back on the course Saturday to compete in the McDowell Invitational in Erie.
"We were missing some runners due to injury, sickness and parent transport, but these kids have been working hard all summer between lifting, running, swimming and cross training," Johnson said. "I'm super excited to see what these teams can do and to see that their efforts are showing."