Russell, LaSalle Shine In Philly: Briarwood Recap


Boys Championship Race - Recap

LaSalle College laid in waiting for the first two weeks of the XC season. But on Saturday, the Explorers showed why they are ranked No. 1 in PTXC's preseason and current team rankings. LaSalle took the top three spots and put its full top five in the top ten of the Championship Race to roll to the team title with just 22 points.

It was LaSalle's third straight team win at its usual opener Briarwood, but Saturday's performance was certainly the team's most dominant out of the three. The Explorers were 93 points ahead of second place North Penn and 105 ahead of third place Haverford Township.

Up front, Vincent Twomey captured the individual victory. The senior, who was second at Briarwood last year, gapped the field in the woods and made his run for the win in the final loop. Twomey went 16:19 for the win. His teammate Ethan Maher was closing hard on him and took third in 16:22. Bradden Koors completed the top three sweep for LaSalle, taking third in 16:35. Explorers newcomer Zachary Brill, a Malvern Prep transfer, came across sixth in 16:47 and Patrick Coyle was tenth in 16:54, rounding out the scoring five for the champs.

Avon Grove's Aidan Skinner ran a terrific race to take fourth in 16:39, an XC 5K PR for the senior on the tough Belmont course. Central Bucks East's Jack McManus was fifth in 16:40.


Boys Challenge Race - Recap 

Andrew Littlehales of Delsea Regional picked up the win with a big final loop. He came out of the woods with a mile left battling for second and then ended up picking up the win. Littlehales, a sophomore, went 16:59 for the win.

Audubon (NJ)'s Zachary Williams took second in 17:05. Episcopal Academy's Owen Maier was third in 17:09, outkicking Hill School's Jamie Olson, who ended up fourth in 17:09.

In the team race, NJ took the top two spots. Hasbrouck Heights, led by sixth place Evan Morrow, took the win with 106 points, edging out the Littlehales-led Delsea Regional. Episcopal Academy was the top PA team, taking third with 113 points.