Central Bucks West girls advance to states for third straight year
BETHLEHEM >> The path was a bit more treacherous this time, but the Central Bucks West girls still found their way back to states.
“It’s very exciting,” the Bucks’ Julia Flood said. “The race was not quite as ideal today. It was the last mile where I really started picking people off, so that was good. It wasn’t the best race, but I think I’m satisfied with my place.
“Our strategy was to have a nice, strong first mile and then after that, take off.”
A third consecutive District 1-3A Team Title eluded the Bucks, but they nevertheless advanced to the PIAA Championship Race for the third consecutive year with a third-place finish in Class 3A.
The Dock girls (Class A) and Pope John Paul II girls (2A) each raced to district titles while Jenkintown defended its title in the Class A boys race.
“The weather was really nice — a nice, cold day. It was ideal for running,” Flood said after a busy morning of racing at Lehigh University. “There was a pretty big pack in front of me so it was very motivating to run and catch them.”
Flood placed 13th out of 365 runners in Class 3A.
Emmi Simon was 15th for the Bucks, Carlin McFadden 23rd, Lexi Gartenberg’s tremendous effort produced a 53rd-place finish, and Piper Wilson placed 103rd for West.
The Bucks had 207 points, finishing ahead of Unionville (217), Council Rock North (250) and Owen J. Roberts (295), all of which are headed to Hershey. Downingtown West (168) and West Chester Henderson (203) took the top two spots.
“My goal is to do better than last year,” Flood said of the race next week. “I got 15th last year so hopefully top 10 this year.”
The Dock girls are also headed to states, by virtue of their first-place finish in Class A. Celeste Derstine (third), Sydney Putera (fourth), Sara Kennel (seventh), Isa Rodriguez (eighth) and Lydia King (11th) got the job done for Dock.
Over in Class 2A, PJP is set for Hershey, as Gianna Cagliola (third), Isabella Greco (fifth), Kathryn Todd (sixth), Natalie Florig (ninth) and Kayla Croiger (20th) came through at Lehigh.
The Jenkintown boys were once again tops in Class A, taking the top four spots. Luke Miller (16:20.9), Oliver Michell, Aiden Michell and Carter Geer went one through four, and Matt Visomirski grabbed eighth to wrap up the title.
The Lower Moreland boys ran an inspired race in Class 2A, with as tight a pack as you’ll see. The Lions took places 10 through 14 to rise to the runner-up spot in Class 2A.
“I wanna thank our coach,” Lower Moreland’s Ben Zonshayn said of Dick Rapson. “It’s his 51st season. We could not have done it without him.
“He taught us about hard work, how to put our hands in the fire, and I appreciate him so much.”
Zonshayn led the way for the Lions, placing 10th. Andrew Ung, Justin Sandler, Thomas Hellenbrand and Alexander Kebuz were close behind.
Lower Moreland finished just behind Pottsgrove for the only spot in states out of Class 2A, but the Lions moved up a spot from their third-place finish of a year ago.
“I’m still really happy with how our team did,” Zonshayn said. “Every single race, the top runner is different. We’re a close group of five people.
“And we work together. And that was our game plan going in.”
Pottsgrove’s Brandon Henriksen (17:01.6) raced to first in the 2A boys race. Other individual champions included Unionville’s Cole Walker (3A, 15:22.7), Calvary Christian’s Lydia Brown (A, 20:2.4), Villa Joseph Marie’s Meredith Glunz (2A, 19:18.3) and West Chester Henderson’s Jenna Mulhern (3A, 17:49.1).
Making states out of Class 3A boys were Downingtown West (107), Unionville (239), Penncrest (251), Lower Merion (260), Owen J. Roberts (272), and Council Rock South (288).
