AA GIrls Photos Don Rich Nov 05, 2000

The AA Girls race was the repeat coronation of Wyomissing, whose 69 points easily outdistanced Scranton Prep. Wyomissing was led by three medalists, Debbie Huss, 2nd in 19:36, Janna Sallade, 12th in 20:11, and Debbie's twin Amy, 13th in 20:17. The race went to favorite Jesi Christiansen, a sophomore from Greenville, in District 10. Christensen pushed the pace on the flats, while Huss pushed the hills, as they went back and forth until Jesi pulled away to win in 19:33.

AA Boys Photos Don Rich Nov 05, 2000

The AA Boys race held true to form as junior Andy Weilacher led much of the final two miles to win in 16:25. Wyomissing's Joel Moceri, who was running on a bad hip, challenged the whole race before being caught at the line and finishing third behind Matt Cornwell of the Christian School of York. Cornwell finished in 16:47.

AAA Girls Photos Don Rich Nov 05, 2000

In the AAA girl's race, one of the pre-race favorites, Lauren Bricker, a sophomore from Hempfield (7), collapsed 40 yards from the finish and was passed by 12 runners before crawling across in 14th place. She had run 90% of the race stride-for-stride with eventual champion Paige Miller of Wissahickon. Miller had overcome doubts of her own, and two sub-par performances in recent weeks to power to the win in 18:47. Stephanie Madia, North Allegheny, moved up one spot from her 1999 performance to finish second 20 seconds back. District 1 champ Katie Ewart, the one Pennsylvania runner to defeat Miller this year (the last two weeks at League's and the District 1 meet), fought off a cold and finished fourth in 19:19, just ahead of rising soph Angie Saterstad of Line Mountain (19:09), the District 4 champ.

AAA Boys Photos Don Rich Nov 05, 2000

 

In the boys AAA competition, Shawn Cavanaugh got the state championship he had missed last year when the whole Commonwealth ran second to Council Rock's Dan Coval. Cavanaugh was not feeling his best for the first half of the race, but maintained contact until his legs recovered enough to give it a last shot. He passed CB East's Karl Dusen in the final straightaway and held on to win in 16:15. Dusen was three seconds back. He was joined in the top four by District One mates Dave Atkiss of North Penn (16:23), and Eamon Brazunas, of Great Valley (16:33). Northampton's Mike Vidumsky, who ran most of the race at the front, was fifth in 16:35. One of the pre-race favorites, Dan Mazzacco, of Baldwin, went out with the leaders, but faded to finish out of the medals.

Girls Team Previews Don Rich Oct 31, 2000

The Wissahickon girls are having a great season that continued with a District One Championship. The team has come together behind the leadership of senior Paige Miller and junior Erin Franklin.

Girls Individual Preview Don Rich Oct 31, 2000

 

As always, there have been a few surprises along the course in PA. Probably the biggest is the absence of West Allegheny's Lauren Shaffer, who faded over the final mile in District 7, and missed the cut-off. She had moved up to AAA this year after taking the AA State Championship in 1999, with the second fastest time of the day. More impressively, she was 14th at the Footlocker Northeast Regionals as a junior, just 22 seconds off a national's berth. Shaffer was third at Penn State as a sophomore.

Boys Team Preview Don Rich Oct 31, 2000

Simply put, Council Rock is well-coached and knows how to win state titles. They took nine in a row in the 80's to mid 90's. They then took a four year break before winning it last year in All-American Dan Coval's senior year. Counted out at the start of this campaign, they went through some doubts and injuries, before running strong against favorites CB East and Coatesville at the District One Championships. They finished in a 122-122 tie with East, but lost on the tie-breaker. They have a tradition of winning. More importantly, they know how to win the big ones.

Boys Individual Preview Don Rich Oct 31, 2000

AAA BOYS The west has a few studs, and the east can boast the same. But the center part of the state has a handful of tough runners, including their district champ, who will definitely have something to say at States this Saturday.

PA States Home Don Rich Oct 30, 2000

Miller, Cavanaugh take AAA titles. Bricker falters. Christensen, Weilacher win AA crowns. Parkland girls surprise North Allegheny. Coatesville, Cedar Cliff go 1-2 in AAA. Wyomissing girls win 2nd straight state title and Scranton Prep delivers on pre-race promise.INTERVIEWS NOW ON + NEW PHOTOS!

District 11 AAA Recap Don Rich Oct 28, 2000

The AAA girls' race was a coming out party at the varsity level for freshman Paula Giguere of Parkland. Her 18:48 was just 14 seconds off league meet time on the same course a week ago in the Mountain Valley Conference Championships. That time took 30 seconds off her PR. Giguere appears to be a diminutive freshman while standing on the starting line, but when the gun goes off, she looks a lot like one of the stronger runners in the state, which she is. Taking control of the race from the outset, Paula says her plan was to run with the pack and push the second mile. "But I got nervous, and when I get nervous, I take off." Her goal for States is a top five finish.

District 11 AA Recap Don Rich Oct 28, 2000

Lee Straus has coached the Nativity B.V.M. boys and girls cross country teams for 27 years. During that time, has had two boys teams make the AA state meet. Today, his girls' team made it for the first time, winning the District 11 Cross Country Championships at Lehigh University. "The girls are close in and outside of school. They have worked for this. And when we won our Leagues, we started to think we could do this." Adding to the ranks of his squad are members of the school's basketball team, who were encouraged by their coach to run. They will be joined at States by Saucon Valley and Notre Dame.

District 3 Boys Stories Don Rich Oct 28, 2000

The State AAA Boys team race looked like a toss-up among any of five teams as late as a few days ago. And none of those teams included Cedar Cliff. But after a dominating performance at today's District 3 championships on a difficult Hersheypark course, the Colts are looking like the team to beat.

District 3 Girls Stories Don Rich Oct 28, 2000

Wyomissing has been quietly building a junior high 'feeder' program for years, but took a not so quiet first state championship in AA in 1999 with just 89 points. The scary thing is, they may be even better this year.

District 1 Girls Highlights Don Rich Oct 27, 2000

Several weeks ago, Upper Dublin Junior Katie Ewart (18:09) came with a few seconds of catching Wissahickon's Paige Miller (18:31). Last week, she not only caught her, but beat her for the first time at the League Championships. And Friday, at the District 1 Championships, she took another step and won the District Championship, with Miller in second.

District 1 Boys Highlights Don Rich Oct 27, 2000

North Penn's Dave Atkiss (3rd;15:41) knew it would go out fast, and it was, in 4:50. "The middle was just hang on, and the last mile was just whatever you've got. The other guys on my team just did what they had to do, and just got it done. " North Penn exceeded expectations to finish fourth in the District 1 Championships, and take a trip to States.

PA Districts Home Don Rich Oct 14, 2000

The races are done. Results are in. All leading to the State Championships scheduled for Bucknell University on Saturday, November 4. PREVIEWS START TUESDAY NIGHT AND WILL BE POSTED BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT!