Lady Chucks XC Places 13th, Hackenberry medals at Big Red Invitational
The Punxsy girls cross country team traveled Saturday to West Middlesex to compete at the 26th annual Big Red Invitational. This year’s invitational had 32 schools competing in the various races.
Conditions on Saturday were similar to Tuesday’s dual meet in Dubois with the heat playing a factor in all of the races. “I think everyone’s performances were slowed a bit due to the weather, but as the cooler fall weather comes our way we will catch some breaks and see some big drops in time.”
In the girls varsity race there were a total of 32 teams, 27 of which had full rosters, while 5 had less than 5 runners. All in all there were a total of 188 runners in the girls race. “I think the girls got a bit excited from the start and went out a bit quickly for their first mile. It is early in the season and I am actually alright with this since we will be working on more evenly paced running in our dual meets.” “Even though they all went out fairly quick they were able to maintain positioning rather well.”
Junior Isabel Hackenberry lead the way for Punxsy placing 30th overall and finishing in a time of 22:47, earning herself her second medal of the year out of two invitational opportunities. “Isabel ran a personal best today and looked extremely strong each time I saw her throughout the course.” “It was impressive to see that she was in 36th place at the mile and worked up to 30th by the end of the race.”
Punxsy’s next three finishers came within 14 seconds of each other. “It is nice to see when these girls work together pushing each other in practices, but it is even better when I get to see them motivating each other to move up in position in a meet like they did today.”
Senior Jenna Barnoff was the second Punxsy finisher placing 68th overall in a time of 24:22. “Jenna is making gradual improvements just like she did last year. She did a fantastic job at making a season long progression last year and seems poised to do the same this year.”
Sophomore Gabby Franklin was Punxsy’s third finisher, only 11 seconds behind Barnoff, finishing in 72nd overall with a time of 24:33. “Gabby has been extremely consistent lately. She seems to really enjoy racing.”
Right behind Franklin in 73rd place overall with a time of 24:36 was Punxsy’s fourth runner, Hayley Dilts. “Hayley looked extremely focused throughout her race, not letting anything get in her way of improving her time and helping her team.”
Punxsy’s fifth runner in 96th place overall was Alyse Whitman finishing in a time of 25:19. “Alyse has had some trouble lately with the heat, and really isn’t performing where she would like to be. Once she can get back to 100 percent, I am confident she will be a huge factor for this team.”
Shortly after Whitman was Punxsy’s sixth runner, Madison Stonbraker, placing 106th overall in a time of 25:50. “Madison continues to look exceptional out there on the course. She learned a lot from today in regards to pacing and is motivated to push herself and her teammates.”
Rounding out Punxsy’s seven runners was Jaci Mennetti finishing in 179th place overall with a time of 37:55. “Jaci keeps working hard and just needs to keep focused on getting herself closer to her next teammate.”
“I was really pleased with how well the team performed in the tough conditions today. It wasn’t an easy task. Each week these girls keep looking better. With cooler conditions coming and more training the possibilities are endless for this group.”
Punxsy will next compete against Saint Mary’s and ECC at Saint Mary’s High School on Tuesday.
The Punxsy girls cross country team traveled Saturday to West Middlesex to compete at the 26th annual Big Red Invitational. This year’s invitational had 32 schools competing in the various races.
Conditions on Saturday were similar to Tuesday’s dual meet in Dubois with the heat playing a factor in all of the races. “I think everyone’s performances were slowed a bit due to the weather, but as the cooler fall weather comes our way we will catch some breaks and see some big drops in time.”
In the girls varsity race there were a total of 32 teams, 27 of which had full rosters, while 5 had less than 5 runners. All in all there were a total of 188 runners in the girls race. “I think the girls got a bit excited from the start and went out a bit quickly for their first mile. It is early in the season and I am actually alright with this since we will be working on more evenly paced running in our dual meets.” “Even though they all went out fairly quick they were able to maintain positioning rather well.”
Junior Isabel Hackenberry lead the way for Punxsy placing 30th overall and finishing in a time of 22:47, earning herself her second medal of the year out of two invitational opportunities. “Isabel ran a personal best today and looked extremely strong each time I saw her throughout the course.” “It was impressive to see that she was in 36th place at the mile and worked up to 30th by the end of the race.”
Punxsy’s next three finishers came within 14 seconds of each other. “It is nice to see when these girls work together pushing each other in practices, but it is even better when I get to see them motivating each other to move up in position in a meet like they did today.”
Senior Jenna Barnoff was the second Punxsy finisher placing 68th overall in a time of 24:22. “Jenna is making gradual improvements just like she did last year. She did a fantastic job at making a season long progression last year and seems poised to do the same this year.”
Sophomore Gabby Franklin was Punxsy’s third finisher, only 11 seconds behind Barnoff, finishing in 72nd overall with a time of 24:33. “Gabby has been extremely consistent lately. She seems to really enjoy racing.”
Right behind Franklin in 73rd place overall with a time of 24:36 was Punxsy’s fourth runner, Hayley Dilts. “Hayley looked extremely focused throughout her race, not letting anything get in her way of improving her time and helping her team.”
Punxsy’s fifth runner in 96th place overall was Alyse Whitman finishing in a time of 25:19. “Alyse has had some trouble lately with the heat, and really isn’t performing where she would like to be. Once she can get back to 100 percent, I am confident she will be a huge factor for this team.”
Shortly after Whitman was Punxsy’s sixth runner, Madison Stonbraker, placing 106th overall in a time of 25:50. “Madison continues to look exceptional out there on the course. She learned a lot from today in regards to pacing and is motivated to push herself and her teammates.”
Rounding out Punxsy’s seven runners was Jaci Mennetti finishing in 179th place overall with a time of 37:55. “Jaci keeps working hard and just needs to keep focused on getting herself closer to her next teammate.”
“I was really pleased with how well the team performed in the tough conditions today. It wasn’t an easy task. Each week these girls keep looking better. With cooler conditions coming and more training the possibilities are endless for this group.”
Punxsy will next compete against Saint Mary’s and ECC at Saint Mary’s High School on Tuesday.