This week’s cross country notebook features the CB East girls’ team and highlights Hatboro’s Alyssa Quinn and CB South’s Matt Scarpill.
By Scott Huff
The Central Bucks East girls’ runs in what cross country observers feel is one of the very best conferences in the state – the Suburban One League Continental Conference. East – along with CB West, North Penn, Pennridge, CB South, Hatboro-Horsham, Souderton and Quakertown – showcase some of the top team and individual talent in the state.
“The positive thing about running in this league is that there is a lot of competition, and the girls race hard,” said Central Bucks East head coach Sam Losorelli. “But the bad thing is that there is some danger in competing that hard early in the season.
“We want a team that is running at its best in October,” added Losorelli. “We have some great girls’ teams in our league, and we would like to feel that we are one of those.”
The Patriots boast an excellent ‘top’ of the lineup in senior Elizabeth Morris, sophomore Tate Dawson, and senior Jackie Kinkead.
“Elizabeth, Tate, and Jackie all have a shot at finishing in the top 25 in states,” said Losorelli. “But our goal is to work hard and get the entire team to states.
“Elizabeth is a very smart and competitive runner,” added Losorelli of his #1 runner. “She has a drive to succeed and can motivate others.
“Tate is very strong and is right on Elizabeth’s coattails,” continued Losorelli. “We expect very big things out of her in October.
“Jackie has shown great improvement from last year,” added Losorelli. “She trains trains very hard, and her goal is to make states.”
In order for East is make states, the ‘bottom’ two runners are going to have to contribute.
“Hannah Morris is a very strong and consistent # 4 runner,” said Losorelli. “And the fifth runner will come from a good group of runners that are very competitive with each other.”
That list includes Sommers Moyer, Caitlin Shewbrooks, and Kaitlyn Jennings.
CB East lost one of its best runners this season as Elizabeth Huuki suffered a stress fracture of the ankle and will miss the season.
“It was hard for both Elizabeth and the team to not have her here,” said Losorelli. “But we have to look forward to the big days ahead.”
After all, it is now October.
The Mighty Quinn
Hatboro-Horham junior Alyssa Quinn joined the Hatter cross-country program as a freshman under first year coach Anna Baker – and there were a total of seven girls on the squad.
“The thing that stood out to me the most was that she really cared and was motivated to improve,” said Baker, who now sports a growing roster of 22 girls. “She is a captain on this team and is a great role model for everyone on the team.”
One of the role models that Quinn had growing up was brother Connor. Connor Quinn – a two-time state qualifier at Hatboro-Horsham – is currently a sophomore running cross country and track at Penn State University.
“Connor taught me a lot,” said Quinn. “He taught me how to train and how to get ready for the season. I really didn’t know what to expect, and he helped me prepare for the sport.”
Quinn runs in the powerful SOL Continental Conference and competes with some exceptional individual runners. That impressive list includes Marissa Sheva (Pennridge), Maddie Villalba (CB West), Phoebe Clowser (North Penn), Elizabeth Morris (CB East), Ali Valenti (North Penn), Olivia Berry (CB West), Tate Dawson (CB East), and Jackie Kinkead (CB East).
“I love competition and enjoy running in the big races,” said Quinn. “I want to concentrate on this season, but I really would love to get a chance to run in college when high school is over.”
“This is the toughest league in the state,” said Baker. “And the talented girls that Alyssa competes against each week have become role models for her. She had done such a great job of changing the culture of Hatboro-Horsham cross country – she is just a great kid.”
Titan Super Soph
Central Bucks South sophomore Matt Scarpill has his sights set on a couple of goals this year.
“I would really like to run a 15:45,” said Scarpill who has a personal best of 16:01 so far this year. “If I can run that time, I would get to states which is another goal of mine.
“Next Wednesday (10/8/14) we get to run against Central Bucks East and Jake Brophy,” added Scarpill. “He is one of the best runners in the area, and he is going to set a nice pace. It would be great if I could get that 15:45 in that race – and if not maybe I could get it in districts.”
“Matt works very hard in practice and does everything we ask of him,” said CB South cross country coach Lauren McNelis. “He wants to know what he has to do to improve, and he always asks good questions about why he is doing what he is doing.
“Even as a sophomore, he is a great leader,” added McNelis. “He encourages his teammates to be the best that they can be.”
To date, Scarpill has the third best time in the entire Suburban One League with the 16:01 clocking. He trails just Brophy (CB East – 15:39) and Casey Comber (Hatboro-Horsham – 15:44.35).
“It has been a pretty good start so far,” said Scarpill. “But districts and states are coming up – and I want to be at my best.”
And he should be.
National Silver Standard Performances Last Week
[pamilesplit.com]
28th Annual Council Rock Invitational
Casey Comber – Hatboro-Horsham – 15:44.35
Rick Fortna – Central Bucks West – 16:10.65
Brian Arita – CR North – 16:20.66
Andrew Hanna – CR South – 16:22.50
Tyji Mays – Bensalem – 16:28.26
Lotte Black – Wissahickon – 19:40.05
50th Annual Quaid Invitational (3 mile run)
Sam Webb – Pennsbury – 14:58.70
Carlisle Invitational
Maddie Villalba – CB West – 19:29.0
Top 3 Runners (by conference)
[pamilesplit.com]
Continental Conference
Jake Brophy – CB East – 15:39
Casey Comber – Hatboro-Horsham – 15:44.35
Matt Scarpill – CB South – 16:01
Marissa Sheva – Pennridge – 18:48.61
Maddie Villalba – CB West – 19:00.0
Phoebe Clowser – North Penn – 19:04.80
National Conference
Brian Arita – CR North – 16:15.0
Andrew Hanna – CR South – 16:22.5
Alex Ramirez – Bensalem – 16:23.0
Riley Engel – CR North – 20:03.0
Abbie Todd – CR North – 20:07.0
Megan Collahan – CR North – 20:10.0
American Conference
Lukas Marcelis – Wissahickon – 16:36.92
Andrew Stewart – Upper Dublin – 16:55.0
Kyuande Johnson – Wissahickon – 17:10.76
Lotte Black – Wissahickon – 19:09.20
Lucile Ionescu – Upper Dublin – 19:50.0
Oliva Blackton – Springfield – 19:52.50
On Deck in the SOL
Saturday
Paul Short Run – Lehigh University
SOL Teams Attending: Bensalem, CB South, CB West, Cheltenham, Neshaminy, Pennridge, Pennsbury, Quakertown.
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