Scott Huff highlights CR North’s Kate Scott and Souderton’s Connor Linse.
By Scott Huff
Flashback to the fall of 2009.
“I still can remember watching the field hockey team running the two mile in practice,” said Council Rock North cross country coach Cliff Robbins. “And I saw this girl way out in front, so I got my stop watch out and began to time her.
“She must have thought that I was some type of crazy person,” added Robbins. “I saw that she was running six minute miles, and I went up to her after she was done and told her that she wasn’t a hockey player – she was a runner.”
And Robbins was right – now senior Kate Scott is one of the elite runners in District One.
“Three weeks into the season she switched from field hockey to cross country,” said Robbins. “Kate may not be a natural talent, but there isn’t anyone that I have coached that has a better work ethic.
“Kate has a great blend of stamina and speed,” added Robbins. “And she has progressed to being a runner that has be considered for medal status at states. She has not only been winning races, but winning accolades as one of the best runners in the area.”
Scott captured a pair of impressive victories in recent meets capturing top honors at the Steel Invitational held at Coatesville with a time of 20:14.14 and also taking the blue ribbon in the Council Rock North Invitational with a clocking of 18:49.9.
“We are getting ready to compete in our (Suburban One League National) conference meet,” said Robbins. “And the only girl that been able to beat Kate in our league has been Sara Sargent (Pennsbury). Sara has a reputation as one of the best runners in the area, and Kate belongs in that conversation.
“I keep telling Kate that on any given day, an elite runner can beat another elite runner,” added Robbins. “I have coached two runners that have been able to beat Sara (Council Rock North 2010 state champion Lindsay Reiner and Pennridge standout Tori Gerlach) and there is no reason why I can’t coach a third runner to beat her.”
Robbins and his team are working extremely hard toward reaching its goal of getting to states as a team.
“There are only five teams that go to states from District One, and there are eight schools that are excellent teams,” said Robbins. “Both Unionville and Pennsbury will compete for the district title, and that leaves five good teams to get the remaining three slots.
“Council Rock North, Central Bucks West, Central Bucks East, Downingtown East, and Downingtown West will fight for those last three positions,” continued Robbins. “It is going to take a team effort by us in order to get us to the state race as a team.”
The most consistent runner behind Scott this season has been junior Kaelyn Heinicke. Senior Hannah Kruman and junior Nicki Van Theyne have flip flopped between being third and fourth, while Gabby Tofig and Natalie Guarna have battled for that fifth slot.
“Our conference meet is really a dress rehearsal for the district meet,” said Robbins. “Our goal right now is to make it as a team to states.”
And that would create another fond memory for Robbins and Scott.
The Council Rock North boys also ran well at both the Council Rock North Invitational and the Steel City Invitational.
Mac Emory took first place in both meets, while Ross Wilson took second place in both meets. James Zingarini finished third at Steel City and sixth at Rock North.
Annual Souderton Twilight Invitational
Souderton hosted its unique twilight invitational last Saturday, and the host Indians made every effort to attract teams to enter the event.
“Last year we went to the twilight time to make it a little different than the other invitationals,” said Souderton boys cross country coach John Donahue. “We begin the race in daylight and finish the race in the stadium under the lights. The girls cross country team decorated the course in a Halloween theme, and it was really neat.”
The winner of the event on the boys’ side was Souderton senior Connor Linse who completed the course in 16:16. Linse continued his fine 2012 season for the Big Red.
“Connor is a great team leader, and you don’t always find that in a #1 runner,” said Donahue. “Oftentimes the best runners go off and are on their own a lot. That’s not Connor, he is a real team player.
“He came into the program as a very talented freshman, and he has continued to improve each and every year,” added Donahue. “He was our number two runner as a sophomore, and he has been our top runner both his junior and senior year.
“Connor trusts in his ability and workouts, and runs a very even race from the beginning to the end,” continued Donahue. “We have conference championships coming up, and even though it is a very tough conference, Connor should be in contention for a top three spot.
“Connor is a very good student, and he is looking at schools both here and in Washington state,” added Donahue. “He has time, and he will have to decide which school is the best fit for him.”
The top five finishers in the race featured runners from Souderton, Quakertown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, and Wissahickon.
Alex Balla (Quakertown) finished second (16:31); Cassidy Silverthorn (PW) captured third (16:38); Colin McLauglin (Quakertown) took fourth (16:41); and Tristin Marcelis (Wissahickon) finished fifth (16:52).
On the Varsity Girls side of the event, Methacton’s Kara Steinke set a course record with a time of 18:05. Kaitlin Poiesz (CB South – 18:34); Maddie Villalba (CB West – 18:44); Emory Griffin (CB West – 18:48); and Lotte Black (Wissahickon – 18:48) rounded out to top five finishers.
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