LEAGUES: Pennsbury Girls, Gerlach Top SOL, Henderson Squads Challenged, Mt Lebo strong @ TSTCA

Quaker Valley came away with both the boys and girls team championships, with the girls having a tougher time winning than the boys. The top ranked AA girls squad placed five in the top fifteen to score 45 points, only five points better than West Allegheny, who placed four, but the Quaker Valley 5th runner was five places better and secured the team title for her team. Dee Dee Adams of Freedom Area won the girls league championship with a time of 21:02. The Quaker Valley boys flexed their muscle once again. The PA#7 and top ranked AA squad had three in the top eight led by league champion Nat Fox (17:36) to score 43 points and cruise to the league championship.

 

 

PA's top ranked Cardinal O'Hara out did their 2010 DELCO championship performance, placing 1-3-4-5-6 to score 19 points and repeat as county champions. The score was one point better than the 2010 team, and was the 14th title in the 47 year history of the event - more than any other school. Dan Savage led the way for O'Hara, winning the gold medal in a nail biting finish, holding off Jack Huemmler of Strath Haven in the final few meters to win the race.

 

 

 

 

For the girls, Hannah Grossman repeated as county champion, running a comfortable 18:28; joined under 19 minutes by only one other athlete, Sophia Meehan of Haverford Township. Grossman's team also had a big day as well. Strath Haven's 2-5 girls placed 18-19-20-22 to defeat defending champions Haverford Township by eleven points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELCO CHAMPS 2011 PREVIEW

by Coach Bill Coren(Strath Haven)
DELCO CHAMPS!!  SATURDAY  10-15-2011   Rose Tree Park     37th year!!!
BOYS NOVICE 2:00  GIRLS JV 2:30  BOYS JV 3:00 GIRLS V 3:30  BOYS V 4:00

GIRLS TEAM PREVIEW
HAVERFORD appears to be the odds-on favorite to win its second DELCO team championship in a row(2010 was its first since 1982).  HAVERFORD’s coach Kristi (Jamison-Haverford alum) Ritchie has planned this season to hopefully run its best by Districts, and DELCOS will be only their 3rd weekend invitational. HAVERFORD returns 5 of their top 6 from their 2010 Championship. HAVERFORD was undefeated in the competitive Central League this year and finished 1st at Abington Inv(scoring 69 points defeating Great Valley(2nd-90) and STRATH HAVEN(5th-130).  At Paul Short they continued to run well, coming in 6th (behind PENNSBURY, WALT WHITMAN(MD), DOWNINGTOWN EAST, STATE COLLEGE, and CENTERVILLE(OH)).  HAVERFORD scored 301 points defeating county teams-- NOTRE DAME(423), STRATH HAVEN(579) and OHARA(686).
As for the runner-up trophy, NOTRE DAME(2nd 2010  1st 2009) is the favorite with a strong Top 2, a solid 3-4, and a quickly improving #5.  AGNES IRWIN(looking for their 1st ever DELCO trophy) has 4 seniors who have been developed beautifully by their veteran and always congenial coach.  They came in 4th in the Paul Short “White” race, but would have been 3 points ahead of STRATH HAVEN if they had run “Brown”.  STRATH HAVEN(4th 2010  2nd 2009  1st 2008) has a super #1 and about 13 other pretty good runners.  For them to have a chance, at least one of that day’s varsity 6 must be in the TOP 20.  OHARA(3rd 2010  3rd 2009) is improving and has closed the gap on the other Top teams!(Kelly OH 10) may give them the runner up front to lead their talented pack!?
 
INDIVIDUAL PREVIEW
A STRATH HAVEN runner has won the individual championship 3 of the last 4 years(Frick 2007--Rutkowski 2008--Grossman 2010).  At this point of the season senior(defending champion) Hannah Grossman(SH) appears to be the slight favorite. Hannah finished 1st at Abington, 2nd at Briarwood “Large”, 4th at Bull Run(MD), and 5th at Paul Short(18:26). Grossman(SH) has not lost to a DELCO opponent this year, but she barely beat one of her toughest rivals, senior Maria Seykora(ND), at Paul Short by 4 seconds(Seykora(ND) did run much faster than Grossman(SH) in different races at Briarwood).  Seykora(ND) also has performed really well in a # of tough meets(3rd PTXC3, 4th Briarwood “Championship”, and 2nd Carlisle “Puma Challenge”.  The only other girls with a legitimate shot at becoming the DELCO CHAMPION are senior Sophia Meehan(HAV) and junior Tess Meehan(HAV).  Sophia(HAV) was runner-up as a freshman and a junior and 6th as a soph.  She is a strong 800M runner(as evidenced by her PIAA STATE medal last spring) and if she can hang on, she may be able to kick it in and kick down the door to her 1st DELCO Individual Championship.  Sister Tess(HAV) is also coming on, and after her freshman year 10th place STATES finish, she has shown she is capable of a big race!!  Good luck to Tess, but as coaches most of us love to see SENIORS getting the top prizes!!  Three of the better runners in DELAWARE COUNTY history will graduate this year----and one of them  will go off to college as the reigning DELAWARE COUNTY GIRLS XC CHAMPION!!!
There will be 20 plaque winners and the TOP 7 girls are likely to make 1st team ALL-DELCO.  4 of those spots will likely go to Grossman(SH 12), Seykora(ND 12), S.Meehan(HAV 12), and T.Meehan(HAV 11).  The other 3 coveted spots will be a real battle??  Here are the possible 5th thru 7th finishers(in no order)----Chang(PC 11)(6th 2010  2nd 2009), Rudawsky(GARV 11)(7th 2010  27th 2009), Powers(ND 12)(9th 2010  22nd 2009  19th 2008), Wunisch(AI 12)(36th 2009  56th 2008), Galligan(SF 10), and Kelly(OH 10)(24th 2010).

BOYS TEAM PREVIEW
OHARA! OHARA! OHARA!---Last year’s team victory at DELCOS was unbelievable!  Their Top 5 finished 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th and 4 of them are back!!!  Historically, OHARA has dominated the DELCO XC CHAMPS. Coach Tom Kennedy’s harriers have been FIRST 8 of the last 13 years, SECOND 4 of those years and only out of the TOP 2 in 2008.  This year OHARA is ranked #1 in PENNSYLVANIA claiming 3 impressive TEAM wins so far--Briarwood Championship, PIAA Foundation “Gold”, and Great American(North Carolina).  No DELCO team is even close to them this year.  OHARA will make more TEAM HISTORY this Saturday!
At least there may be a TEAM race for 2nd!?  Central League foes, Haverford(3rd 2010), Strath Haven(4th 2010), and Penncrest(2nd 2010), will likely fight it out on Rose Tree’s hills.  Haverford has a deep team and their 5th runner is very close to their first.  It is possible they could have 5 runners in the TOP 20.  As for Strath Haven, Their top 2 are really strong, but they need their 4th and 5th to move up.  Penncrest always runs well at DELCOS, and 2011 will probably be the same.
INDIVIDUAL PREVIEW
Lets look at some more HISTORY.  An OHARA runner has been the DELCO Champ 7 of the last 11 years(including 2010).  Last year’s returnees are 3rd-Bilotta(OH 12),4th- Savage(OH 11), 5th-Pastore(OH 11), 7th-Ostroski(OH 12), 12th-M.Kazanjian(PC 10), 15th-A.Smart(GARV 11), 16th-Seelaus(SH 12), and 17th-N.Smart(GARV 10)(YES! The Smart’s are BO Smart’s kids).  So far this year 3 of these runners appear to be the favorite at the 2011 DELCOS.  Savage(OH 11)has been #1 for his team in all races this year.  He is consistent and very tough!  Seelaus(SH 12) won the Abington Invitational and BULLDOG and has greatly improved in 2011.  Bilotta(OH 12) has been close to Savage(OH 11) all season and could be ready to break through. 4th through 7th(ALL DELCO) will be a battle among Pastore(OH 11), Ostrowski(OH 12), James(OH 9), Huemmler(SH 11), M.Kazanjian(PC 10), Kays(HAV 12), Bodine(HAV 11), and O’Donnell(GARV 12).

Chestnut Hill Academy

 

 

Dustin Wilson of Chestnut Hill Academy shattered the championship course record, becoming the first to ever break 16 minutes. His winning time of 15:23 clinched his 3rd league championship in a row and bettered the record of 16:25 by Matt McCullough of Malvern Prep back in 2008. The team battle was very close, as Malvern Prep edged out defending champions Germantown Academy 55-56, winning their 2nd title in the past three years.

 

 

Photo by John Seykora

 

For the girls, Maria Seykora regained her Inter-Ac championship, running 18:44 to win by 21 seconds. The girls team title race was also decided by a close margin, as Notre Dame held off Agnes Irwin and Episcopal Academy 51-52-53. It was Notre Dame Academy's 7th consecutive league title.

 

Mount Saint Joseph Academy

 

Photo by Charles Stone

 

St Basil Academy earned another AACA team championship, placing four in the top ten to score a solid 36 points to defeat runner up Villa Joseph Marie by 36. Megan McGarrity led the way for St Basil's,  earning the league champion, running 18:33.7 to win by 15 seconds over Veronica Wheeler of Nazareth Academy.

 

Gwynedd-Mercy College

 

Amy Darlington of Liberty won her league championship in comfortable fashion, running a solid 19:15 to win by over 30 seconds. The team race was very close, as Parkland took advantage of a better performance from their 3-4-5 runners to defeat Emmaus for the team championship 54-56. For the boys, Nathan Palmer of Freedom Area became the league champion with a winning time of 17:23.8, 14 seconds better than the field. Nazareth Area placed five in the top twenty with a 62 second spread to score 60 points and win the team championship by 26.

 

 

By Cory Mull

 

EMIGSVILLE -- Since his freshman campaign, Dallastown senior Adam Katora has continued to improve as a runner.

On Tuesday at the YAIAA Championships, he saw his hard work pay off, as he became the boys' winner in 16 minutes, 29.17 seconds.

He fought off a tireless effort from South Western junior Ryan Hertzog, who ran with Katora until the last 800 meters. Katora outstretched his competition in the final straightaway, pulling away for the league win.

"We had it together until the last half-mile and then he pulled it out," Herztog said.

The result was a telling one for Katora, who secured a PR of 16:22 on Oct. 8 at the Gettysburg Invitional. Tuesday's time became his third sub-17-minute time in the last month. He also secured a 16:36 at the Carlisle Invitional in late September.

"I went out conservative with a few of the runners early on," Katora said.

Indeed, the first mile proved to be a chess match. A solid pack of five unfolded, with some runners hesitating to make a move too early.

Katora finally took charge two miles in, stringing Hertzog along for the ride.

"I was kind of surprised no one went earlier," Katora said.

With a new layout dotting the course, some runners were apprehensive about leading. One runner blew out of the starting gate, only to finish in 15th. Another sported the lead near the mile mark and finished 35th.

At least three new turns were added to the windy John Rudy Course, which also included a steep hill a little over the mile and a half mark.

Katora and Hertzog were experienced on the hills, however, and utilized their strategy well.

"My coach told me before the race that I didn't have to be leading after the first mile," said Hertzog, who finished fifth a  year ago. "So I went out a little softer then I usually do. I held back. When I caught him, I started pushing the leader and he and I went off."

For Katora, he had more on his mind. A disappointing junior campaign, in which he missed out on states, was still hanging in his mental closet. He accomplished the feat as a sophomore and is now looking to return to the state's final meet of the season.

Taking third was West York senior Kevin Chambers (16:58). Red Lion senior Matthew Croft, who was second a year ago, secured fourth in 17:04. Central York senior Drew Belnick followed in fifth at 17:12.

Rounding out the top 10 was Patrick Reilly of Dallastown (17:14), Bryan Procopio of Susquehannock (17:16), Brady Wilt of Biglerville (17:18), Caleb Gatchell of Red Lion (17:19) and Nate Vitacco of Northeastern (17:20).

Wilt was one of three freshman in the field's top 20 and the only in the top 10.

"My hopes were to stay toward the top," Wilt said. "My coach said, 'Don't worry' because I'm a freshman and she said you have three years ahead of you. This is a learning experience."

 

Hanover Area

Regan Rome of Dallas and Marissa Durako of Holy Redeemer had strong starts to their postseason runs and made strong cases as contenders for their respective state championship races. On this day, Rome got the better of Durako by less than 2 seconds, with Rome running 18:33.8 and Durako running 18:35.1. Dallas won the AAA championship, placing three in the top ten to score 45 points, while Holy Redeemer scored 81 points and cruised to the AA team title. For the boys, Dominic Deluca completed the Dallas individual title sweep, running 16:37.4 to hold off Ben Robinson of Tunkhannock by six seconds. Dallas boys placed four in the top eight to score 28 points and win AAA, while Holy Redeemer had five in the top twenty to score 70 points to win the AA crown.

Alyssa Brandis of Central Cambria ran 19:26 to win the league championship by 45 seconds, and her performance led three in the top six to score 42 points and secure the team championship over 2nd place Forest Hills. For the boys, Kevin Dailey of Westmont Hilltop ran 16:44 to win the league gold medal and lead his team to the team championship trophy. His team placed three in the top nine to score 47 points to defeat Somerset by 18.

Kara Steinke of Methacton took care of business and continued her winning ways with a league championship winning performance of 18:38, 27 seconds better than 2nd place. In the team standings, Boyertown had a very strong team performance, placing seven inside the top sixteen overall with a 1-5 spread of 73 seconds to score 41 points to win the team title. For the boys, Pottsgrove placed three in the top ten led by a runner up finish from Ian Yanusko to win the league championship over Spring Ford 51-78. Yanusko finished 20 seconds behind league champion Brett Kelly of Boyertown, who ran 16:06 to take home the gold.

Blue Mountain

Brendan Shearn of North Schuylkill got his postseason off to a flying start by winning his league championship with a lifetime best performance of 15:39 for three miles, which was over 1:10 better than 2nd place. His performance was good enough to earn his team 2nd place honors behind league champions Pottsville, who placed five in the top eleven led by a runner up finsih from Jake Plachko. For the girls, Paige Stoner of Pottsville ran an impressive 18:30 for three miles to win the league title by almost 90 seconds and lead her team to the league championship. Her win led six in the top eight overall to score 21 points.

Westtown School

 

Meet Story and Photos by Lex Mercado

 

Because of heavy rains forecast for Wednesday, October 19th, the meet has been postponed until Friday, October 21 with the same schedule.

 

Both West Chester Henderson squads came into the day as solid favorites to win their league championships. Both teams managed to achieve that goal. But the competition that challenged them on this day was game and that set up for some great competition for all involved.

West Chester Henderson's boys started their race in a large pack which also included some Great Valley athletes. After a 5:01 first mile, Ned Willig of Great Valley made a surge into the lead, a lead that he would never relinquish. Willig ran 15:58 to win the league title. But the action behind him made the team finish close. Both Great Valley and Henderson had four runners in the top ten. Great Valley went 1-3-6-10 while Henderson went 2-4-7-8. But a 1-6 Henderson spead of 33 seconds was just enough for Henderson to retain their league championship over Great Valley 32-40, the closest margin of victory for Henderson in their run of four straight league titles.
 

 

The girls race was going to be a three team battle, with the experienced Henderson taking on the new comers Unionville and the always threatening Downingtown East. Courtney Smith of Unionville made a surge for the lead from the gun, with Stephanie Aldrich of Henderson staying right behind her throughout the race. Everytime Smith made a break, Aldrich was there to respond. Coming into the finish, Smith made one last move to pull away, and the move was just enough to hold off Aldrich and award Smith with her first league championship. Her winning time of 18:44 was one second better than Aldrich. In the team standings, Downingtown East had three in the top seven, but were the only top three team with a scoring runner outside the top twenty. They would finish 3rd with 64 points. Unionville had the winner and Anne Birkenmaier finish 10. But their 4-5 runners finished behind Michelle Tracy, Henderson's number five in this race. Unionville would finish 2nd with 60 points with a 59 second spread. Their score was 10 points behind champions Henderson and their spread was 4 seconds behind Henderson's 55 second 1-5 spread.

Fairview

Mercyhurst Prep placed four in the top five to win the D10 Region Five Championship with a score of 27 points. Connor Gregory of Fairview was able to beat the Mercyhurst Prep pack of four, running 17:23 to win by 7 seconds. For the girls, Mercyhurst Prep placed 2-3-4-5 to finish with 28 points and the team title. Mackenzie O'Connor of General McLane ran 20:13 to beat the Mercyhurst Prep foursome by 6 seconds.

 

Haverford College

 

 

Lehigh University

 

Pennsbury girls had one of their strongest team performances in the past two years in winning their league championship.

Pennsbury had five of the top six finishers led by league champion Ann Herman (18:22), they had a team average of 18:55 and a 1-5 spread of 56 seconds. All five scorers finished under 19:20 and their margin of victory was 50 points.

 

 

For the boys, Connor Harriman completed the individual title sweep for Pennsbury, running 16:00 to win the gold medal by seven seconds. His team would finish 2nd, 20 points behind champions Council Rock North, who had a 2-3-4 finish to lead the way to the championship.

Cabrini College

 

Nate Tallada of Saegertown ran an impressive 16:09 to win his regional championship by 9 seconds over Gordon Phillips of Oil City. Maplewood were aided by a 18-19-20 finish from their 3-4-5 runners to edge out Cochranton for the team title 67-77. For the girls, Reilly Walsh (19:48) and Olivia Mamula (19:57) of Cambridge Springs used a 1-2 finish to keep their team close to Conneaut Lake. But Conneaut Lake had five in the top 20 to edge out Cambridge Springs 54-57.

Cathedral Prep used a 1-2-3-4 finish led by region champion Louis Ethan (16:55.5) to score 17 points and cruise to the team championship. Their 1-5 spread was a solid 53 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

For the girls, McDowell finished 2-3-4-8-9 with a one minute spread to score 26 points and defeat Meadville by 20. Libby Volna of Meadville ran 20:36.4 to win the gold medal by 10 seconds.

Hickory

It was business as usual for Dan Jaskowak of Grove City, who earned another victory in his remarkable 2011 campaign. He ran 16:24 to earn the county championship, and he was also part of a strong team performance. He led a 1-2-4 finish to earn his team the team championship with 23 points, 37 points better than West Middlesex. For the girls, Morgan Richards of Hickory ran 19:50 to win the county title by 11 seconds. The hunt for the team title was close, as Sharpsville held off West Middlesex and Hickory 68-79-80. Sharpsville was the only the team to place two inside the top ten on the day.

PA#1 Cardinal O'Hara limited the drama in the team standings, placing five in the top ten with a 1-5 spread of 46 seconds to score 28 points and defeat Lasalle by 38.

 

 

The real drama was the head to head battle between Dan Savage of Cardinal O'Hara and Tom Coyle of Lasalle. Coming out of the woods, the two of them were running alongside each other. They would stay that way til the very last turn, where Coyle would pull away and edge out Savage by half a second. Coyle ran 15:56.2 while Savage ran 15:56.7, both lifetime bests for Belmont Plateau.

 

 

 

 

 

For the girls, Teresa Ortiz bettered her course personal best by over 10 seconds, running 19:14.5 to win the gold medal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archbishop Wood retained their league championship, holding off a strong charge from Cardinal O'Hara by a final score of 28-42.

 

Lock Haven University