Katherine Ward is no longer an emerging star in PA. She proved the point with a big win over a talented field at the Steel City Invitational. A field that included defending champ Sarah Morrison of Chambersburg. Ward went 19:20, Morris 19:25, and Kate Ross, Central Bucks East, 19:37. It was Ward and Ross and the Mile, and then trading places up the hill, until Ward was able to pull away, as Morrison closed on Ross to take 2nd. Chambersburg won the girls team, with 67, O'Hara 94, Council Rock North 174.
Boyertown's Jason Weller ran 15:49, with Conestoga Valley Vince McNally at 15:56, and Greg Thomas, O'Hara 16:10. NE#7 Coatesville defended home turf with their usual strategy of out-hard, hold on. It was thier 2nd win in a row. getting 78, with O'Hara at 122 and Parkland at 166. It was a tight pack of McNally, Coatesville's Kyle Dawson, Council Rock North's Keith Capecci, and Thomas after the mile, with Weller giving chase, never losing total contact, and coming back for the biggest win of his season, to date.
Weller was not with the front group on the way to the mile.
But he was in the front when it counted.
Ross and Ward pushed the early pace.
Morrison and Ross gapped Ward on the hill.
But without spikes, neither could hear Ward coming down the road.
