Mercury All-Area: OJR’s Zubey joins elite company as 4-time runner of the year
Every now and then, a high school enjoys that one dominant athlete in their sport, one who elevates the whole program and continues to raise the bar year in and year out.
Claire Zubey has been that go-to elite competitor for Owen J. Roberts, owning Pioneer Athletic Conference meets and medaling at states throughout her varsity cross country career.
And with PAC team and individual titles — as well as a personal record of 17:47.70 for a fourth-place District 1 finish — Zubey has now closed out her high school career with her fourth straight Mercury All-Area Runner of the Year recognition.
With a fourth All-Area runner of the year award, Zubey enters the most elite company. Only Methacton runner Kara Steinke (2010-13) has achieved the same across all sports in the last 20 years.
Individually, Zubey took home her fourth state medal after finishing 13th in the PIAA Class 3A field with a time of 19:16.50 at Hershey’s Parkview course on Nov. 5. Owen J. Roberts took fifth place as a team with 193 points.
“We always make the best of it, whatever place we come in,” Zubey said “We’re there to run hard and have a good time.”
The Wildcats — also featuring Jane Kratz, Ava Taylor, Khya D’Angelo and Grace Fennell — racked up numerous team titles this year, claiming first overall in the Lehigh Paul Short Run, the PAC meet and District 1 championships.
“I think it’s the hardest-working group we’ve ever had,” Zubey said. “All the returning runners from varsity are the same from last year and we all wanted it and we all worked really hard. It was cool to see all the hard work pay off.”
The District 1 team championship was a first for Owen J. Roberts. Zubey shaved 10 seconds off her personal best time (17:47.70) to place fourth in a highly-competitive race that saw the top 5 finishers separated by 13 seconds. It was 11 seconds better than her run a year prior when she was District 1 champion.
The district success backed up Zubey and OJR’s success at the PAC Championships eight days prior. Zubey raced to her third PAC title in 18:41, comfortably ahead of runner-up and teammate Jane Kratz.
Over the last four years, Zubey has taken on every hill and has left no hill unclimbed while helping to put Owen J. Roberts on the map as a legit cross country school in Pennsylvania.
“Maybe it’s easier now to look back and see what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Owen J. Roberts coach Tim Marcoe said. “There were ups and downs and highs and lows. But I do think, overall, there were more highs than lows. My goal when somebody like Claire comes in is to prepare them to be successful at the collegiate level.”
When she runs for Penn State next year — where two-time Mercury boys Runner of the Year Andrew McGonigle will attend upon graduating from Owen J. Roberts as well — Zubey will bring with her a wealth of experience from competing with the state’s elite.
With cross country in the rear view, Zubey is shifting gears toward the track season this spring, where she’ll compete in the mile and two-mile events as well as the distance medley relay for indoor.
“It’s been quite a ride. I’ve certainly enjoyed the entire experience of being able to coach somebody like Claire,” Marcoe said. “She’s just been so coachable. So positive, such an upbeat, easygoing athlete. She really doesn’t have an ego.”
Zubey has consistently upped her ante and raised her standard, progressing to the point of being one of the state’s top runners.
Much like any of her conference races, she’s climbed uphill ahead of the pack, establishing herself as the area’s best for a fourth straight year.
“It’s been great. I’m gonna miss the coaches, we always have a good time heading to every meet. Having a good day just spending time with the team is really my favorite part,” Zubey said. “We’re all working towards the same goal and Marcoe does a great job supporting us along the way. Definitely gonna miss them.”
With the legacy Zubey is leaving behind at Owen J. Roberts, it might be safe to say the school will miss her too.
