PTXC9 - Girls' Recap
GOLD RACE
Chambersburg's Abby Yourkavitch has been one of PA's top runners for a while, and on Saturday she gave a good indication that she's ready to close out her high school career on the highest of notes.
Yourkavitch led virtually from the gun to earn a wire-to-wire victory in the Gold Race at PTXC9. Her gap never wavered and she closed strong to pick up the win in 18:53. She's earned three XC state medals in her career, but this season, she'll be looking to move up inside the top five.
Emily Bonaventure of Souderton went out a little more conservatively than the rest of the field, but closed hard to earn a second place finish. Bonaventure clocked in at 19:01 for silver. Loudoun Valley (VA) took the next two spots with Natalie Morris and Ricky Fetterolf. Hershey's Andrea Demko rounded out the top five, placing fifth in 19:27.
Loudoun Valley put together a strong team effort to take the overall team win with 84 points. The surprise of the day on the girls' side came from Central Bucks West, which took second (top PA team) with 162 points. Freshman Julia Flood took 14th in her invite debut. Sophomore Piper Wilson and freshman Emmi Simon ran well for West, which is suddenly a major factor in District 1 and the state.
Governor Mifflin was also a surprise, earning third place with 183 points, led by a strong race from Andrea Miller. Council Rock South was strong for a second straight week, placing fourth.
Holy Cross's Lexi Walsh (sixth), Elizabethtown's Katie Locker (seventh), and Hershey's Faith Mark (eighth) also ran well to open up their respective seasons.