Lion Invitational - Recap
By Abby Huber
Katie Dammer of Abington Heights debuted her senior season by dominating the Lions Invite in Bethlehem on Saturday. Dammer is one of the state's top returners, placing 6th overall at the state meet last year. Dammer finished in a time of 18:32.05. Another senior from District 11 got second, Sophie Doman of Palisades.
In the team scoring, the girls of Abington Heights were third overall on Saturday. District 11's Liberty girls took second, led by sophomore Belle Weiert . Northwestern Lehigh girls won the invite, proving they can hold their own among the AAA teams. The Northwestern Lehigh girls will look to take one of the two allotted state spots for AA District 11 teams.
Individually on the boys side it was more of a close race. Saucon Valley's Ethan Bernstein started his senior year off with a win, running 16:35.00 for first place. Bernstein is the defending District 11 AA champion and will certainly be a factor at the state level. He beat defending District 2 champion, Kyle Burke of Abington Heights. Burke ran 16:44.00, starting the season with a PR in the 5k. Abington Heights boys were second overall as a team.
Another strong performance came from senior Sheamus Hamerstone of Notre Dame-Green Pond, who placed fourth overall running 16:55. NDGP boys squad placed third overall without usual top runner John Koons and will certainly be ones to watch in the district this fall.
After this weekend, the Nazareth Area boys are definitely on the radar after handily winning the Lions invite. Senior Blake Samsel led the team at Bethlehem on Saturday. Nazareth Area was 11th overall as a team last year at the AAA District 11 Championships, but after this weekend, it is obvious the team is on the rise.
