Lydia Olivere wins fourth Division 1 state title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Four titles in four years. Saturday at Killens Pond State Park in Felton, Padua High senior Lydia Olivere ran to an impressive fourth straight Division 1 Delaware state cross country title. The Villanova-bound distance runner crossed the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 45.9 seconds.

"I didn't really expect this going in," Olivere said of her four state meet wins. "It's weird to think where I've come from (since) freshman year. I really took each year one step at a time. I've had lots of competition over the years and I've just been happy with the success that I had. I'm very luck to say I've (won) four state championships."

Padua also claimed its fifth straight team title with a dominant 18 points. Teammate Elizabeth Bader was runner-up in 18:22.6, while Padua claimed the fourth, fifth and sixth spots. All seven Padua runners placed in the top 10. 

"We were really relaxed and excited going into the race," Olivere said. "It's been amazing. This year it's been so fun. It's been a unique year because we're so young. It was just a very special season." 

In the boys Division 1 race, junior Michael Keehan guided Salesianum School to a team title, as he won in 15:49.6. Salesianum placed four runners in the top eight and five in the top 11. 

In the girls Division 2 race, it was all Tatnall once again, as the Hornets ran to their 14th straight title. Junior Keelin Hays led Tatnall with a first-place time of 18:15.4. It was Hays' third consecutive title. Tatnall scored 27 points, placing four runners in the top 10. 

In the boys Division 2 race, Wilmington Friends junior Connor Nisbet defended his title in 15:37.5, while Tatnall made it a program sweep, scoring 45 points to secure the crown. 

RESULTS - Division 1 | Division 2

Team Champions

Boys D1 - Salesianum 28 points

Girls D1 - Padua 18 points

Boys D2 - Tatnall 45 points

Girls D2 - Tatnall - 27 points