The Punxsy girls cross country team wrapped up their season on Saturday in Ridgway as they competed in the District 9 Championships and came away with a third place finish in the team standings. Saint Marys won the championship and a trip to states with 32 points, with Bradford in second with 45 points. Punxsy totaled 72 points, with Clearfield checking in at 87. Karns City scored 120 to round out the team scores. Individually, Isabel Hackenberry placed fifth overall to punch her ticket to the state championships in Hershey on November 5th.
“The team competition was fairly similar to that of the pre-district invitational held on the same course three weeks ago.” “I expected us to be a bit closer to Bradford, but they were able to slip a few girls in ahead of our pack of 2nd through 5th runners. Overall though I feel that our girls came in well prepared and gave their best effort.”
With near perfect running conditions the runners started the varsity girls AA race. Michelle Bauer and Amanda Foster of Saint Marys along with Rebecca Pennington of Karns City separated themselves quickly from the rest of runners. Hackenberry immediately established herself just behind the second group of runners in 12th place. “Isabel was very patient throughout her race, with each mile she gradually moved closer to the lead of the second pack. She moved into 7th place by the second mile, running with the two Little sisters from Bradford and Mikesell from Clearfield. Within the final mile she was able to overcome the younger Little sister and Mikesell to finish in her fourth fastest time of the year. She ran a tough race and is very deserving of her first trip to states.”
Bauer ended up winning with a time of 19:39, followed by her teammate Foster in 19:55. Pennington of Karns City finished third in 20:22, while Emily Little finished 4th in 21:28. Hackenberry finished fifth in 21:43. Mikesell of Clearfield was 6th in 21:50. Amanda Little finished 7th in 21:53. Pennington, Hackenberry, Mikesell and the Little sisters will be the five non-team individuals representing District 9 AA at the state meet along with the team of Saint Marys.
In between Punxsy’s next three finishers were a string of Bradford and Saint Mary girls.
Sophomore Gabby Franklin had her best race of the season as she placed 15th overall in seasonal best time of 23:06. “Gabby moved up throughout the race and looked stronger as the race went on. She has learned a lot about her abilities this season, and I expect her to come into next year even more confident in herself.”
Senior Jenna Barnoff finished off her high school cross country career as she placed 16th overall in 23:16, only two spots off of her pre-meet ranking. “Jenna really wanted to place higher today, but I know for sure that she did her best out there. She has helped this team out tremendously with her leadership. She will definitely be missed next year.”
Junior Alyse Whitman finished 17th overall in 23:29. “I am extremely happy with how Alyse has managed to come back from injury to perform the way she did today. She has a great attitude and is going to do great things in track and field and cross country.”
Right behind Clearfield’s Freeman was Junior Hayley Dilts, who stayed quite consistent to her previous best as she ran 23:50 to place 19th. “Hayley ran a tough second mile, staying ahead of Clearfields 3rd runner. She has become quite a tough runner in one year of this sport.”
In between Clearfield’s third through fifth runner was Freshman Madison Stonbraker placing 24th overall with a time of 24:31. “Madison ran over a minute faster than she did on this course 3 weeks ago. With her attitude and how consistent she has been this year she definitely has the potential to make big improvements over the next three years.
Racing for Punxsy in the Varsity Extra race were Junior Sophia Lambiotte and Freshman Jaci Mennetti. Sophia and Jaci placed 53rd and 54th overall in 31:06 and 31:10. “I am very pleased with how hard both of these girls have worked this season. I know there is more potential in each of them and we will continue to work to get the best out of them.”
Isabel Hackenberry will make the trip to Hershey’s Parkview Course next Saturday to race along with approximately 215 of the best runners in the state competing in the AA classification. “This will be the first state meet for Isabel, so no matter what she will gain some valuable experience for the future. We already have some goals in mind for her race and look forward to her competing alongside the best runners in Pennsylvania.”
“The team competition was fairly similar to that of the pre-district invitational held on the same course three weeks ago.” “I expected us to be a bit closer to Bradford, but they were able to slip a few girls in ahead of our pack of 2nd through 5th runners. Overall though I feel that our girls came in well prepared and gave their best effort.”
With near perfect running conditions the runners started the varsity girls AA race. Michelle Bauer and Amanda Foster of Saint Marys along with Rebecca Pennington of Karns City separated themselves quickly from the rest of runners. Hackenberry immediately established herself just behind the second group of runners in 12th place. “Isabel was very patient throughout her race, with each mile she gradually moved closer to the lead of the second pack. She moved into 7th place by the second mile, running with the two Little sisters from Bradford and Mikesell from Clearfield. Within the final mile she was able to overcome the younger Little sister and Mikesell to finish in her fourth fastest time of the year. She ran a tough race and is very deserving of her first trip to states.”
Bauer ended up winning with a time of 19:39, followed by her teammate Foster in 19:55. Pennington of Karns City finished third in 20:22, while Emily Little finished 4th in 21:28. Hackenberry finished fifth in 21:43. Mikesell of Clearfield was 6th in 21:50. Amanda Little finished 7th in 21:53. Pennington, Hackenberry, Mikesell and the Little sisters will be the five non-team individuals representing District 9 AA at the state meet along with the team of Saint Marys.
In between Punxsy’s next three finishers were a string of Bradford and Saint Mary girls.
Sophomore Gabby Franklin had her best race of the season as she placed 15th overall in seasonal best time of 23:06. “Gabby moved up throughout the race and looked stronger as the race went on. She has learned a lot about her abilities this season, and I expect her to come into next year even more confident in herself.”
Senior Jenna Barnoff finished off her high school cross country career as she placed 16th overall in 23:16, only two spots off of her pre-meet ranking. “Jenna really wanted to place higher today, but I know for sure that she did her best out there. She has helped this team out tremendously with her leadership. She will definitely be missed next year.”
Junior Alyse Whitman finished 17th overall in 23:29. “I am extremely happy with how Alyse has managed to come back from injury to perform the way she did today. She has a great attitude and is going to do great things in track and field and cross country.”
Right behind Clearfield’s Freeman was Junior Hayley Dilts, who stayed quite consistent to her previous best as she ran 23:50 to place 19th. “Hayley ran a tough second mile, staying ahead of Clearfields 3rd runner. She has become quite a tough runner in one year of this sport.”
In between Clearfield’s third through fifth runner was Freshman Madison Stonbraker placing 24th overall with a time of 24:31. “Madison ran over a minute faster than she did on this course 3 weeks ago. With her attitude and how consistent she has been this year she definitely has the potential to make big improvements over the next three years.
Racing for Punxsy in the Varsity Extra race were Junior Sophia Lambiotte and Freshman Jaci Mennetti. Sophia and Jaci placed 53rd and 54th overall in 31:06 and 31:10. “I am very pleased with how hard both of these girls have worked this season. I know there is more potential in each of them and we will continue to work to get the best out of them.”
Isabel Hackenberry will make the trip to Hershey’s Parkview Course next Saturday to race along with approximately 215 of the best runners in the state competing in the AA classification. “This will be the first state meet for Isabel, so no matter what she will gain some valuable experience for the future. We already have some goals in mind for her race and look forward to her competing alongside the best runners in Pennsylvania.”