Earlier in the week, Bethany Walker won for the 2nd time in four days, taking the MIDWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE title. On Friday at the PAUL SHORT INVITATIONAL, Neely Spence, the Shippensburg junior running for her high school for the first time, made her 5K PA HS Invitational debut a memorable one, winning in a stunning 17:47, and looking like she had more to give. Emmaus, the young team with big goals, looked every bit the part as they won the team title. Strath Haven's Rob Speare won a dual over Tom Mooney of Council Rock South (Photo is a 1.75 miles). Quince Orchard of Maryland won the team title with 158 points and Germantown Friends was second with 163. At the MCDONALD'S MAYMOUNT XC FESTIVAL in Richmond, VA, Baldwin took gold in the, pardon the reference, Gold Seeded Boys race. On Saturday in New York at WARWICK VALLEY, Radnor came within 9 points of upsetting US#1 Hilton, 59-68. At the CARLISLE INVITATIONAL, Coateville scored 30 behind Kyle Dawson's 15:17.9. Manheim Township girls win. Lara Crofford 18:16. At the COUGAR INVITATIONAL in New Jersey, Colts Neck's Tom Forys won the head-to-head over Unionville's Paul Springer by 11 seconds, running 14:58. At the 3.0 MCQUAID INVITATIONAL in New York, it was a perfect day for some fast times. The fastest PA time of the day came from a freshman from Notre Dame Green Pond (Easton), as Allison Constant ran 18:04. Bradford's Sarah Lonzi ran 18:15. In the boy's races, Smethport senior Ben Hahn ran 15:13.6. North East finished 2nd in the team competition. The Strath Haven girls took on the tough Hereford 3.0 course in Maryland at the BULL RUN INVITATIONAL and came away with a 2nd place in the Medium Schools race. The Meadville boys took the top three spots and put four in the top 16 to win the COCHRANTON INVITATIONAL. Zac Ross ran 15:49. The Meadville girls captured 2nd to Titusville. Titusville's Laura Koller won in 19:54. At the COUNCIL ROCK INVITATIONAL, the host North boys dominated by placing four in the top nine behind the 16:38 by Matt Wikler. Josh Izewski of Central Bucks East took 1st in 16:02. Sarah Simonetti continued her wins with a solo 18:38 to lead her Pennridge team to the title by two points over Central Bucks South. At the MERCERSBURG ACADEMY INVITATIONAL, James Finucane took 3rd for the hosts. Anne Spencer was 14th for the host girls. Both teams finished 9th. Cedar Cliff took a drive to Bloomsburg and came away with team gold in both the girls' and boys' races at the NORTHEAST INVITATIONAL. Kassie Meholick led thei girls with a 4th place 19:17 on the challenging course while the boys were led by the 16:53.0 of Jared McGahen. Lakeland senior Mark Bucklaw won in 16:13.0, edging Crestwood sophomore Robert Micikas by less than a second.
Coverage
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - BETHLEHEM, PA -- They may have given up the tempting \"Dip\" of Hereford to attend the Paul Short Run, but now they become Maryland\'s 2nd - 5th members of the Milesplit National Elite. The Quince Orchard Boys took home the team title, and logged elite performances from all nine of their runners.
Photo Galleries and Select Pix by Don Rich of the 9/29 Paul Short Run, and by Don Rich, Karen Ward and James K. Wood of the 9/30 Carlisle Invitational.
Weekly Rankings for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties, private schools, and Maryland state.
Last year at this time, then Conestoga senior Liz Costello was basking in the sunshine and deserved attention in San Diego at the Foot Locker Nationals. She had won the AAA state championship a month earlier and set a meet record at the original 2001-2005 Hershey course that is now officially retired. Costello finished her great senior year with a state indoor title in the 3000 to go with a Millrose Mile invitation; a state title in the 1600 in outdoor, and then a big PR with a 4:29.36 1500 at USATF Junior Nationals, good for 5th place. Costello had gone early decision at Princeton, and scored all season this fall for the Tigers, who finished what she termed a \'disappointing\' 23rd. Costello\'s best race of the season was the Paul Short Run in late September, where she ran 2nd on the team, finishing 9th overall. She was injured in the race, but survived the year to get to her first NCAA Championships. Her team is young - their recruiting class looks as good as last year - and Costello has high expectations for herself and her new team. PennTrackXC.com borrowed some of her time to talk about her season, her team and her adjustment to a major college program at the Ivy League school.
Select photos from both varsity races at the 9/29 Paul Short Run @ Lehigh University\'s Goodman Campus