JOHNSTOWN —
Runners from across the state gather today at the Parkview Course in Hershey for the PIAA Cross Country Championships and the area will be well-represented when the races get underway this morning.
The biggest change this year is the addition of a third classification for both boys and girls.
One thing that has not changed, however, is that eyes and pressure will once again be on the Central Cambria girls, a perennial power across the state and well-respected for their tradition of toughness on the course.
“We look a little bit at the other teams across the state, but we are not going to change anything that we do,“ said Central Cambria coach Randy Wilson, whose team is running in Class A. “We are going to run as fast as we can (today). We don’t change any of our training based on who we are going to run against. Our girls train hard. Races are not as hard as our hardest workouts.
“Nothing can be compared because everyone runs a different course during the season. We only run this course (at Indian Valley in the District 6 final) once a year. There are so many variations that affect it.“
Currently in Class A, Elk Lake (District 2) is ranked first with Central Cambria second and New Hope-Solebury from District 1, third. Fourth is West Middlesex from District 10.
Other teams of consequence today could be Laurel Highlands foe Penn Cambria, which is ranked fifth in the state, Laurel from District 7 and Wilmington from District 10.
“My philosophy is ‘Why train to be second?’ ” Penn Cambria coach Todd Niebauer said. “I am going to challenge the girls again. These girls have responded well and every time we’ve asked them to. We’re going (to states) with high expectations. Why not? We gave ourselves the opportunity (finishing second at District 6) and we’re there, so why not take advantage of it?”
Sophomore Kennedy Weisner of Elk County Catholic was the runner-up to Homer-Center’s Angel Piccirillo last year and is the top individual contender this year. The Red Devils’ Alyssa Brandis won the District 6-A individual title and will also be one of the runners to watch today.
The other Red Devils team members include three freshmen: Hannah Swope, Jackie Bracken and Jordan Hayward, along with seniors Olivia Lipnic and Katie Bracken and junior Laken McKeel.
The Panthers runners are Arlee Simendinger, Kaitlyn McGarry, Emily Roberts, Sara Clauto, Danielle Pompa, Sarah Roberts and Shelly Pompa.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat
George: I slipped up
LeBron, Wade on OT win
Hill responds after Game 1 loss to Heat
Vogel: We've got to play better
Spoelstra: Welcome to the Eastern Conference Finals
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Coach's quick call saves Moore football team
Sergio Garcia issues an apology to Tiger Woods
Sergio Garcia makes insensitive remark about Tiger Woods
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Behind the Seams: Big Spenders are Busts
Red Wings take 2-1 series lead
McReynolds: Johnson Coca-Cola 600 favorite?
McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase
