11/1-Henderson, Hatboro repeat, but two individual champs don\'t/Koons, Beltz dominant @ PIAA States

Nov 01, 2003

Meet summary below along with links to individual race summaries, plus the previews, qualifiers & starting lanes, course map and photos, plus 2003 Districts results.

Thanks to John and Donna Dye for taking the time to make the journey to Central Pennsylvania.

Mile splits and team placements for all four races on Runhigh.com

Competitor and coach quotes from the PIAA State Championships

PIAA State Championships-Photo Gallery (all races)

PIAA State Champs-AA Girls Race Photos

PIAA State Champs-AA Boys Race Photos

PIAA State Champs-AAA Boys Race Photos

PIAA State Champs-AAA Boys Finish Photos

PIAA State Champs-AAA Girls Race Photos

PIAA State Champs-AAA Girls Finish Photos

PIAA State Champs-Boys AAA Race Story

PIAA State Champs-Girls AAA Race Story

PIAA State Champs-Boys AA Race Story

PIAA State Champs-Girls AA Race Story

DyeStat's Coverage of the PIAA Championships

Donna Dye (of Donna on the Side) captured the meet as no one else can.

Surprise, surprise, surprise. Henderson's Ian Gottesfeld, the defending AAA State Champ, and Greg Williams, made their move where planned. What wasn't planned was for a very confident sophomore to follow in their footsteps, and run them down on the final straightaway to win States. Manheim Township's Craig Miller says he hopes to win two more. Gottesfeld held on for second, while Williams faded to 15th with dehydration. He fared better than a year ago, and helped his Henderson team repeat as State Champs. One race which didn't surprise was the girls' AAA, where Frances Koons went to the front, as is her style, and cruised to a very fast 18:37. Hatboro-Horsham repeated as AAA State Champs, and only lose one of their top five. For Chris Spooner, his plan worked. He surged with 600 to go, but was overcome by heat in the final 30 meters as Westmont Hilltop's David Mock passed him to win. Spooner held on for second, but was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion. He's fine, and pleased that he and his team, which finished second to Eisenhower, gave everything they had. Adriane Beltz of Hamburg, spent the better part of a year overcoming physical setbacks to post her finest high school race and capture the AA state championship. Dallas came in from District 2 to stop the Wyomissing streak at four.

Henderson's Ian Gottesfeld, the defending AAA State Champ, and Greg Williams, made their move where planned. What wasn't planned was for a very confident sophomore to follow in their footsteps, and run them down on the final straightaway to win States. Manheim Township's Craig Miller says he hopes to win two more. Gottesfeld held on for second, while Williams faded with dehydration. He fared better than a year ago, and helped his Henderson team repeat as State Champs.

One race which didn't surprise was the girls' AAA, where Frances Koons went to the front, as is her style, and cruised to a very fast 18:37. Hatboro-Horsham repeated as AAA State Champs, and only lose one of their top five.

For Chris Spooner, the plan worked. He surged with 600 to go, but was overcome by heat in the final 30 meters as Westmont Hilltop's David Mock passed him to win. Spooner held on for second, but was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion. He's fine, and pleased that he and his team, which finished second to Eisenhower, gave everything they had.

Adriane Beltz of Hamburg, spent the better part of a year overcoming physical setbacks to post her finest high school race and the AA state championship. Dallas came in from District 2 to stop the Wyomissing streak at four.