Jake Brophy enjoyed a fine freshman season. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
ABINGTON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL STANDOUT NAMED GATORADE PENNSYLVANIA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR
I never felt that I settled into the race (probably because I couldn’t feel anything because of the cold)...
Brianna Schwartz has been lighting up western PA since her freshman year. Now the record holder at the championship venue at Cooper's Lake in Slippery Rock, she had much bigger goals in mind this year. But a disappointing 5th place state finish led to a renewed commitment and focus, resulting in a 4th place finish at Foot Locker Northeast, and an 6th place ALL-AMERICAN finish at Foot Locker Nationals. Here, in her own words...
Commissioner Patrick M. O'Malley issued a proclamation designating December 19 as Tessa Barrett Day in Lackawanna County recognizing her a... (via Times Leader)
Ross Wilson is the 4th Council Rock North boy to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals. It is no accident, as Wilson gives full credit to long-time coach Dave Marrington.
One of our fun photos for the NXN team picture. We didn’t end up using this one, but we thought it captured the personality of our team/
Putting it simply, Marianne Abdalah does not feel comfortable in crowds. That personal preference for open space explains two major things about her life.
The 2013 All State Cross Country Team was selected by a committee of the PTFCA on 11/13, taking into consideration honors won, quality and consistency of performance and head-to-head competition.
Abington Heights senior Tessa Barrett qualified for states in XC as a freshman and sophomore, and after an eye-opening 17:58 at the 2012 Tennett Invitatonal, she looked destined to challange for a state AAA title. But a mud-fest at the District 2 meet led to an injury, and the opportunity was lost. She bounced back in indoor with a solo 10:02 3k in February. Her 3000 at PTFCA champs was an epic battle with Courtney Smith and Regan Rome - one she ultimately won in a state record 9:47.73. She would go on to take 4th at the Penn Relays 3000 in 9:40, and then 2nd (to Smith) in another battle at outdoor states, going 10:25 for 3200 meters. This year she opened with a stunning 17:26 at Cliff Robbins, and then not only won the Gold Race at PIAA Foundation, but set the course record for the Poop-Out Hill layout in 17:48. And then she followed in the recent spike-prints of Neely Spence and Angel Piccirillo, winning the Foot Locker Northeast Regional.
Unionville senior Courtney Smith entered her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships. Smith led her team to a qualifying spot and trip to NXN after winning the Northeast Regional. But in the first 1000 meters in Portland, she fell and was spiked. She recovered for 10th. Then during indoor, and despite an injury, Smith captured 3rd in an incredible 3000 at PTFCA Indoor States, and anchored her DMR to a state title. Two weeks later, she anchored that DMR to a 6th place finish in the New Balance Nationals Indoor champs in a time ten seconds better than their state title... and anchored the 4xmile the next day to a 3rd place finish - both earning all-American recognition. But the injury endured. She went through PT, and returned to racing at the Henderson Invitational on May 2nd. Beyond happy to be back.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published late in the week, or earlier if meet schedules dictate.
Dallas senior Regan Rome has had a remarkable career at Dallas in her first three years. Rome has been a medalist each of her first three years in XC, twice in AAA and in 2012 taking 3rd - leading her team to the podium in 2nd by just three points in AA. She is a three-time defending champ in Distirct 2 (2x AAA,1x AA); and capped off 2012 with a 4th place finish at Foot Locker Northeast, finishing 19th in San Diego, just seven seconds from all-American. And Rome is a three time medalist in AAA in the 3200 in the PIAA champs, plus a two time medalist in the 3k at the PTFCA Indoor Champs, taking 3rd in 2013 in 9:53.59 as Tessa Barrett and Courtney Smith both bettered the state record.
Coverage includes video interviews, video highlights, photos, race summaries, feature stories and statewide newspaper coverage. (McDowell girls between striders)
Newspaper stories of the PIAA Cross Country Championships from around PA
Griffin Molino's entire strategy was built around a quality start.
Tony Russell pushed and pulled his Henderson teammates to the title.
Dominic Deluca entered the PIAA Class AA boys’ championships as the only returning medalist within the top 15 a season ago.
Photo Albums by Don Rich, Patty Morgan, Aaron Rich, David Beyerle, Megan Clugh and Lex Mercado
West Chester Henderson and Tony Russell repeat as champions
Tunkhannock survive against Pottsgrove
Saegertown won their first state title in any sport in school history
Barret runs 17:30, Unionville survive against Pennsbury
Dalls gets long awaited state crown!
Shocker kicks off state meet
Unionville reverses states fortunes with big-time run by frosh Elizabeth Edwards
From missing a chance to race at state... to a state champ with a course record
Elizabeth Chikotas had a plan for each part of the course. Winning was the final part.
Cory Mulll feature stories from the 2013 PIAA Cross Country Championships in Hershey
Dallas senior Regan Rome has had a remarkable career at Dallas in her first three years. Rome has been a medalist each of her first three years in XC, twice in AAA and in 2012 taking 3rd - leading her team to the podium in 2nd by just three points in AA. She is a three-time defending champ in Distirct 2 (2x AAA,1x AA); and capped off 2012 with a 4th place finish at Foot Locker Northeast, finishing 19th in San Diego, just seven seconds from all-American. And Rome is a three time medalist in AAA in the 3200 in the PIAA champs, plus a two time medalist in the 3k at the PTFCA Indoor Champs, taking 3rd in 2013 in 9:53.59 as Tessa Barrett and Courtney Smith both bettered the state record.