This week’s notebook highlights runners from CB West and North Penn as well as some of the top SOL performances.
By Scott Huff
The unique aspect of cross country is that it is both an individual and team sport – and one of the top girls teams in the state is Central Bucks West.
“I tell the girls all the time that if you do your job as an individual – we can celebrate as a team,” said Central Bucks West head coach Kiki Bell. “We finished third in states last year, and we want to make sure that we are improving each week.”
The #1 runner for the Lady Bucks this year is junior Maddie Villalba.
“Maddie is a very impressive runner,” said Bell. “She won the 800 meters last year and has the speed to be able to race with the best in the state. She is also a very strong runner, and it is all about her being able to run the distance.”
The #2 runner for the Lady Bucks this year is senior Olivia Berry.
“Olivia is a very strong # 2 runner,” said Bell. “She had a great spring season, works very hard, and is a beautiful runner to watch.”
The #3 runner for the Lady Bucks is sophomore Emily Aunins.
“Emily is young and will continue to get better,” said Bell. “She uses the experience that both Maddie and Olivia have already to improve.”
The #4 runner for the Lady Bucks is junior Jillian Keyte.
“She has put in a great deal of hard work and has her eyes set on personal bests,” said Bell. “She wants to be at her very best at the end of the season, and she should improve week to week.”
The #5 runner for the Lady Bucks could either be senior Lindsey Gerlach or sophomore Amelia Krause.
“Both girls are strong runners, and that last spot will go the girl who is running the best at that time,” said Bell. “We could have a different 3-4-5 runner depending on a lot of things.
“One thing that I do know is that we are going to have fun and laugh,” added Bell. “But we also know that if we put in the work we will get the results.”
And that formula has worked extremely well for the CB West program.
SOL Spotlight
Maddie Villalba – Central Bucks West
Maddie Villalba is the #1 runner on one of the elite programs in the state.
“It is so much fun to be a part of a team,” said Villalba. “Whether it is the varsity or the junior varsity – we are all part of one team.
“We push each other a great deal in practice, and then we compete and push each other in the meets. “We had a good meet last week in the Bulldog Invitational, and we left both happy and confident.”
Villalba is one of the leaders on a team that should make its mark at the close of the season.
“I think that I have matured as a runner, and know what to expect,” said Villalba. “I have taken the sport a little more seriously. I eat right – and I have worked on weight training.
“I am very excited about the season,” added Villalba. “We have a great group of girls, and we should have a lot of fun.”
Ryan Tung – North Penn
Ryan Tung is a senior who has set serious goals for his final season.
“I want to make one last strong push to show everyone how good I can be,” said Tung. “I want to be a state medalist – and have our team go back to states after missing the last two years.
“I am optimistic about the season – not only for myself but for the team,” added Tung. “The team – honestly – is everything. The team trains with you and gives you confidence. We’re looking for a league title and to make it to states.
“I’m looking forward to running in college,” continued Tung. “But I have a lot to show this year before that happens.”
Tung – an excellent student – is considering Lehigh, MIT, Penn State, Brown, and Rhode Island.
But right now, Tung is the strongest runner for the North Penn Knights.
Phoebe Clowser – North Penn
Phoebe Clowser is a junior and has to date been the strongest runner on the North Penn Maiden squad.
“My goal coming into the season was to be better than I was last year,” said Clowser. “I really enjoy cross country – I like the challenge of running distance.
“Being part of this team is fun, and we want to do well,” added Clowser. “I am a junior and will miss running with Ali Valenti next year. Ali will graduate this year, and we push each other all the time in practice and in meets.”
Clowser does have a focus on her post scholastic career. She is considering both George Mason and St. Joseph’s University as possible collegiate destinations.
“I know that I love running,” said Clowser. “And I would love to continue running in college.”
National Silver Standard Performances Last Week
[Pa.milesplit.com]
Briarwood Invitational
Jake Brophy – Central Bucks East – 15.39
Phoebe Clowser – North Penn – 19:43
Bulldog Invitational
Matthew Scarpill – Central Bucks South – 16:18.5
Maddie Villalba – Central Bucks West – 19:0.1
Lotte Black – Wissahickon – 19:09.20
Oliva Berry – Central Bucks West – 19:44.20
SOL Top 5 Runners
[Pa.milesplit.com]
Boys XC
1. Jake Brophy – CB East – 15:39.0 – 5th in state
2. Casey Comber – Hatboro-Horsham – 15:57.8 – 13th in state
3. Ryan Tung – North Penn – 16:11.34 – 24th in state
4. Brian Arita – Council Rock North – 16:15.0 – 27th in state
5. Matthew Scarpill – CB South – 18:50.0 – 32nd in state
Girls XC
1. Marissa Sheva – Pennridge – 18:48.61 – 4th in state
2. Maddie Villalba – CB West – 19:00.01 – 13th in state
3. Lotte Black – Wissahickon – 19:09.2 – 19th in state
4. Elizabeth Morris – Central Bucks East – 19:35.0 – 57th in state
5. Phoebe Clowser – North Penn – 19:43.0 – 76th in state
On Deck on Saturday 9/20/14
Boys XC
Hatboro-Horsham & Souderton @ Chris Fretz Invitational (Perk Valley Middle School) – 10 am
Council Rock North @ George School Invitational – 9 am
Neshaminy @ Steel City Invitational (Coatesville) – 10 am
Girls XC
Hatboro-Horsham & Souderton @ Chris Fretz Invitational (Perk Valley Middle School) – 10 am
Council Rock North @ George School Invitational – 9 am
North Penn and Neshaminy @ Steel City Invitational – 10 am
Pennridge @ PIAA Foundation XC Invitational – tba
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