The leaders were right in front of me, and suddenly I realized I could run with them, and qualify Don Rich Dec 16, 2002

"The leaders were right in front of me, and suddenly I realized I could run with them, and qualify."
– Jon Pastore, Scranton Prep, December 19, 2002, five days after his 30th place at Foot Lockers in San Diego, California 

I have what it takes to compete here Don Rich Dec 16, 2002

"I have what it takes to compete here."
– Ian Gottesfeld, West Chester Henderson, Saturday December 14, 2002 following his 15:33.5, 21st place at Foot Lockers in San Diego, California 

11/30 - Foot Locker Northeast Regional Recap Nov 30, 2002

Jon Pastore overcame a disappointing state meet, picked up a little confidence at the Mid East Regional in Ohio as the first PA runner, and used his teammates starting line reservation to book his trip to San Diego.

Bob Burdette dies 11/19 Nov 21, 2002

Bob Burdette dies 11/19

Jessica Cickay to regroup for 2003-2004 seasons Don Rich Nov 21, 2002

Jessica Cickay is in transition. From a precocious, young talent, to a mature, young talent. That's the good news. The bad news is we won't get to see that talent until the Spring season in 2003.

11/14 - Freshman Tya Carodine holds off teammate, wins by 5 seconds Nov 14, 2002

Freshman Tya Carodine, who had only won a single race all season, picked the biggest meet of the year to run first for Public League Champ Central High, going 20:50 to hold off teammate Evan Vance by five seconds.

11/04 - Tim O'Neill runs PR, comes within three seconds of course record Nov 04, 2002

Tim O'Neill, the St. Joseph's Prep junior, picked a great time to run a PR at Belmont Plateau, coming within just three seconds of the PCL course record held by Bonner's Brenden Benner.

The Henderson Win That Almost Wasn't Nov 02, 2002

There are gut-checks, and then there are gut-checks. And the US#11 boys' team from West Chester Henderson passed every one thrown their way this season, includiing an unexpected near-disaster at the biggest meet of the year.

10/31 - Elisa Payne out-kicks Christy MacGregor Oct 31, 2002

10/30 - Church Farm School uses 6th man to get the tie-breaker win Oct 30, 2002

10/26 - Jed Christiansen runs solid race to beat the Soders Oct 26, 2002

In AA, Jed Christiansen, Greenville, ran a solid race (as did the others in the lead pack) to beat both the Soders and Eisenhower's Grant Allen. Harbor Creek, led by the 2-4-5 finish of their front-runners (Brian Soder 15:54.2, Eric Soder 15:58.3, Craig Davis 16:29.9) held off West Middlesex's solid pack to win 78-85.

10/26 - Leanna Nataste posts a strong 18:51 to win by 44 seconds Oct 26, 2002

Forest Hills' Leanna Nataste posted a strong 18:51 to win by 44 seconds in AA. Bishop McCort and Penns Valley were the top two teams. Bishop McCort was led by Schrey's 4th place 20:26.

10/26 - Wyomissing wins with 20 points Oct 26, 2002

Wyomissing won. The girls, for an incredible 4th straight time. They are the Harrier #14 team in the US, and they showed it, placing five in the top eight, and all seven in the top 13 for an incredible 20 points.

10/26 - LaSalle uses its depth to win another Independent Schools Division championships Oct 26, 2002

LaSalle used its depth to win another Independent Schools Division I championships behind the 16:29 effort of Joe Fedororwicz with 38 points. St. Joseph's Prep was 27 points back as Tim O'Neill captured 2nd in 16:42.

10/25 - Council Rock-North takes US#11 West Chester Henderson by five points, 88-93 Oct 25, 2002

A mild upset as Council Rock-North takes US#11 West Chester Henderson by five points, 88-93. Henderson started with four points, as Ian Gottesfeld took the title in a very fast 15:25.9, and Greg Williams took 3rd in 15:34.1.

10/24 - Parkland and Allentown Central Catholic separated by a mere point Oct 24, 2002

The last two AAA Girls State Champions come from District 11.

10/24 - Oswayo Valley single point behind Karns City Oct 24, 2002

Fortunately for Oswayo Valley (70 points), two AA teams make States in District 9. They were a single point behind Karns City, which was led by meet champion Aaron Benson in 16:42.

10/24 - Ashleigh Wetzel improves 33 seconds over last year, wins District 4 title Oct 24, 2002

Ashleigh Wetzel of Lewisburg improved 33 seconds over last year and, more importantly, by one place to capture the District 4 individual championship in 19:30.

10/24-Mount Lebanon wins both boys and girls races Don Rich Oct 24, 2002

It's crunch time, and the boys and girls teams from Mount Lebanon and Quaker Valley took care of business, winning both AAA and both AA championships, respectively. Mount Lebanon's girls tallied 181 points behind the 10th place finish of Lauren Wood, in 20:08.

10/23 - Jonathan Pastore wins third straight District AA title Oct 23, 2002

Jonathan Pastore, Scranton Prep, wins in 16:05 to claim District AA title for 3rd straight year, a feat equalled by his team. Wallenpaupack places five in top 21 to gain AAA crown with 70 points.

10/22 - George School boys capture a six-point win over Germantown Friends' Academy Oct 22, 2002

The George School boys captured a six-point win over Germantown Friends' Academy, but it was Friends' Central Ian Ramsey-North who took the individual title in 16:32.

10/22 - Jason Brown takes the boys win in 18:28 Oct 22, 2002

Jason Brown of Valley Forge took the boys win in 18:28 at Belmont Plateau, but his team lost by five points to Maryland's Beth T. Fillah.

10/21 - Lex Mercado breaks own course record Oct 21, 2002

10/19 - Eddie Dutch wins Oct 19, 2002

Haverford senior Eddie Dutch has been concentrating more on running this year than ice hockey, and the work paid off with an invitational win in his league championship.

10/19 - Allderdice girls and boys teams became the first teams to qualify for the PIAA Championship Oct 19, 2002

The Allderdice girls and boys teams became the first teams to qualify for the PIAA Championships by winning the District 8 (Pittsburgh City League) Championships. Three days of rain had turned much of the course to mud, forcing runners to slog through large puddles and causing some harriers to fall on the sharper turns.

10/19 - Eisenhower boys win with 45 points Oct 19, 2002

10/19 - Ashleigh Wetzel runs 19:09 for the win Oct 19, 2002

Lewisburg's Ashleigh Wetzel ran the 3rd fastest time in course history, behind only the last two by Angie Saterstad, going 19:09 for the win.

10/19 - Chris Cummings posts a 16:19.1 to win NTL Championship. Oct 19, 2002

Mansfield's Chris Cummings posted a 16:19.1 to win the NTL Championship.

10/19 - Christiansen's slip-slidin' to conference championships Oct 19, 2002

Rain, wind, and the Greenville Christiansen's (Jesi & Jed) were slip-slidin' to conference championships at Grove City HS.

10/19 - Harbor Creek goes 1-2-4-10-12 to tally just 29 points Oct 19, 2002

Harbor Creek went 1-2-4-10-12 to tally just 29 points and capture the Erie County Championships on a cold, wet, windy day, 16 better than General McLane.