The Rebels, who have won 17 straight league titles, finished second against Poly in the league’s first meet on Sept. 15. Nonetheless, they ran that meet without Heintz and ran Tuesday’s without No. 2 runner Daniel Lazier.
Meanwhile, Silverman took first in the initial league meet, but finished second on Tuesday to Chadwick’s Jay Buchbinder, who took the race out fast and never faltered, finishing in 18:52, with Silverman coming in at 19:30, fending off Mayfield’s Michelle Gonzalez (third, 19:41) and Ellen Banks (fourth, 19:55). Prep took third in the team tally with 78 points, while Chadwick (27) finished first and Mayfield (40) second.
“I couldn’t catch her,” said Silverman of Buchbinder. “I had to think, ‘OK, well, now it’s my own race, so I have to change my strategy. I was in no man’s land.”
No man’s land because Buchbinder was untouchable and after Silverman had picked off Banks earlier in the race, Gonzalez was on her heels.
“I could feel them,” Silverman said.
But just when it looked as though Gonzalez would catch her on the final incline, Silverman’s final kick gave her a comfortable cushion at the end. It likely came as a result of Silverman not getting sucked in to a fast start.
“I knew if I went out more conservative I would have something to unleash in the end,” Silverman said.
And now, a showdown is set for the league finals on Oct. 31 at Pierce with Silverman and Buchbinder likely to duke it out for the individual crown.
“League finals are gonna be interesting,” Prep girls’ Coach Michael Roffina said.
