Villa Joseph Marie captures District 1-AA championship

BETHLEHEM – Villa Joseph Marie captured a District 1-AA championship in girls cross country on Friday, Oct. 30 at Lehigh University’s Goodman Campus in Bethlehem.

The Jems, which outpaced second-place Gwynedd-Mercy Academy by 100 points, were led by freshman Katie Irelan, who was the first finisher among Class AA schools after hitting the tape in 18:30.

Four other VJM runners were among the top 10 finishers including freshmen Brianna Kling (4th, 19:24), Caroline Brandt (6th, 20:06), Camila Drobac (8th, 20:26) and Abigail Zwall (9th, 20:27).

Lower Moreland junior Kerry Kovacs (18:58) finished second in the 5K race and Pope John Paul II freshman Julia Costello (19:22) was third.

VJM sophomore Brigid Conmy finished 26th in 21:48 and freshman Ann Marie Whalen was 30th in 21:59.

UPDATE: The Jems placed third in the PIAA Class AA championship race Nov. 7 in Hershey. Irelan was the first finisher for Villa Jo, placing ninth with a time of 19:11. Kling was the next finisher for the Jems, placing 28th at 20:01. Zwall was 35th at 20:10.

Brandt came in at 20:24. Drobac finished in 21:31. Conmy completed the course in 22:14 and Whalen turned in a time of 22:54.

Dallas senior Ally Rome won the race in 18:30.

Contact the author at ssherman@buckslocalnews.com, @BucksLocalSport on Twitter

District 1-AA Cross Country championship

(Oct. 30 at Lehigh University)

1 — Katie Irelan, Villa Jo Marie, 18:30

2 — Kerry Kovacs, Lower Moreland, 18:58

3 — Julia Costello, Pope John Paul II, 19:22

4 — Brianna Kling, Villa Jo Marie, 19:24

5 — Maria Antoni, Upper Moreland, 19:49

6 — Caroline Brandt, Villa Jo Marie, 20:06

7 — Dyani Hairston, Pottsgrove, 20:16

8 — Camila Drobac, Villa Jo Marie, 20:26

9 — Abigail Zwall, Villa Jo Marie, 20:27

10 — Kelly Williamson, PJP II, 20:30