Pennridge girls, Souderton boys stay on course
EAST ROCKHILL >> A team with high expectations for 2022, the Pennridge girls cross country team continued its climb on Wednesday.
“This group is really tight,” said Nora Ritting, who raced to first place in the dual meet with rival Souderton. “We all get along really well. We’re all really supportive of each other, which is definitely nice to have, especially in this sport.”
The Rams attacked their home hills with purpose, getting a sensational performance from their top three and a consistent effort overall to pull away to a 15-48 victory over Big Red in a Suburban One League Colonial Division clash.
The Souderton boys were also impressive, locking down an 18-43 victory over the Rams.
The Pennridge girls took the top five spots in their race, led by Ritting, who finished in 20 minutes, 48 seconds, and Ashley Landis, who was right behind in 20:49. With Taylor Burkett back healthy this year, the Rams are shaping up as quite a contender in the SOL Colonial.
“Our goal is to get everybody together. Our four and five need to be up so that team-wise we can compete for the league title and hopefully at districts and get into states,” Rams coach Bill Smith said. “I think we’re going to be a very competitive team in this league and across the whole Suburban One League. And we’ve got work to do.
“Our top three are running pretty well. And I had some other younger kids run pretty well today too.”
With its two long, steep hills, the course at Pennridge can be awfully intimidating, zapping a runner’s stamina and draining their will power, but the Rams know the way.
“I break it up, and I think of it in steps,” Ritting said.
Ritting, Landis and Burkett surged to the top three spots, with Maria Lera-Lozano and Kaegan Smith closing the gap, grabbing fourth and fifth.
“It’s a long course and it’s still a demanding course,” said Smith, who has guided the Rams to several strong finishes over the years and once again has them in contention for a division crown. “Even though the times don’t look spectacular – on this course, they might be pretty good.”
Big Red’s Aiden Maue led a Souderton surge, crossing first in 17 minutes, 28 seconds.
“Pennridge definitely has a tough course, but I feel like I was able to stay consistent and just maintain a good pace,” said Maue. “You just gotta keep pushing it. Find something that drives you.”
Big Red went one through three and took five of the top seven.
“They’re a great group of guys,” Maue said of his teammates. “They all have spirit and they all wanna be here and work hard.”
Boys Cross Country
Souderton 18, Pennridge 43
Top 10: 1. Aiden Maue (S) 17:28; 2. James Kuduk (S) 17:44; 3. Aidan Kearns (S) 17:46; 4. Thomas McGann (P) 18:15; 5. Tanner Wiszneski (S) 18:36; 6. Grayson Kerzman (P) 18:57; 7. A.J. Gardner (S) 18:58; 8. Stephen Keller (S) 19:19; 9. Victor Salinas (S) 19:29; 10. Luke Barbadoro (P) 19:57.
Girls Cross Country
Pennridge 15, Souderton 48
Top 10: 1. Nora Ritting (P) 20:48; 2. Ashley Landis (P) 20:49; 3. Taylor Burkett (P) 21:53; 4. Maria Lera-Lozano (P) 23:25; 5. Kaegan Smith (P) 23:41; 6. Reese Richardson (S) 24:04; 7. Anna Teleska (P) 24:15; 8. Cadence Richards (P) 24:20; 9. Nora Richardson (S) 24:22; 10. Jackie Kulhanjian (S) 24:48.
