Scott Huff features some of the top SOL performers in last weekend’s invitational meets.
By Scott Huff
The venue was the Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia.
The event was the Quad X High School Invitational.
The sponsor was Nike.
And the host team was the Central Bucks South girls’ cross-country team.
“This is the sixth year that we have hosted the event, and we expect to host it again next season,” said Central Bucks South girls cross country coach Ryan Walsh. “It is a nice venue and a great atmosphere for the runners.
“It is a different type of competition, and everyone really seems to enjoy the format,” added Walsh. “It is an eight-mile event with each of the four girls running two miles each.
“We run all season as a team, but the relay part of this event really develops camaraderie among the girls,” continued Walsh. “And we really ran a nice race.”
CB South finished the event with a fine second place finish with a clocking of 55:49 – 28 seconds behind first place finisher Lenape Regional High School. The South foursome consisted of senior Katie Blanchard, junior Katlin Poiesz, senior Allison Taylor, and sophomore Brynne Mulloy.
“We finished 10th in the state three years ago, and our time this year was only eight seconds off that time,” said Walsh. “That was encouraging, but we have to remember that we only have two runners back from last year. We are very inexperienced.”
Poiesz is running cross country this fall after playing field hockey the last couple of years.
“Kaitlin is without question our strongest runner,” said Walsh. “She runs with confidence and has responded well all season to workouts. She runs tough.”
Souderton had a strong showing at the event with a fifth place finish. The Big Red foursome consisted of Sarah Hughes, Natalie Ross, Reaghan Murphy, and Tessa Edwards. Souderton stopped the clock in 58:24.
The Central Bucks South boys’ teamalso finished strong with a sixth place finish and a time of 47:02. The Titan quartet consisted of senior Shane Connor, junior James Chappell, senior Austin McCadden, and senior Nick Petit.
“This is a great event that gives us a gauge where we are with our fitness – plus it is a lot of fun,” said Central Bucks South boy’s head coach Sean Stetler. “We don’t get too amped up over the event, but every time you run a relay it is exciting.
“I have a team with equal ability – injuries and runner improvement is going to decide who competes as the season goes along,” added Stetler. “In addition to the kids who ran in the event, (senior) James Wilson, (sophomore) Jack Marqis, and (junior) Tim Boyle are all in the mix.”
Upper Dublin had the best showing on the boys’ side as the Flying Cardinals finished fourth with a clocking of 46:33. The foursome for Upper Dublin showcased Francis Ferruzzi, Steve Williamson, Sam O’Connell, and Robert Bonasia.
Plymouth Whitemarsh competed and finished 11th as the Colonials stopped the watches in 48:07. The quartet for PW consisted of Pat Silverthorn, Robert Biddle, Dan McGrath, and Dan Shalala.
Central Bucks East Invitational
Varsity – Girls
The Central Bucks East girls dominated their own CB East Invitational as the Lady Patriots outdistanced second place North Penn with21 first place points compared to 43 points by the Maidens. Council Rock South (105) finished third, Upper Merion (158)finished sixth, and Bensalem placed ninth.
Central Bucks Eastcaptured the first three places in the event as senior Marisa Hawley registered a winning time of 20:11. Junior Lousie Huuki finished second with a clocking of 20:21, while sophomore Lizzie Morris took third place honors with a time of 20:22.
Megan Wilcoxon claimed fifth place for CB East with a clocking of 20:48, while Sarah Romanus finished in the top ten with a time of 21:05. Other Patriot finishers were Jackie Kinkead (18th place) and Kendall Savage (25th).
North Pennfreshman Phoebe Clowser was the top gun for the Maidens with a fourth place finish in 20:42. Other top ten finishers for North Penn were Melanie Vlasic (7th), Jenna Reimer (8th), Courtney Kern (9th). Brianna Mengini (15th), Colleen McGovern (17th) and Janki Patel (19th) also competed for the Maidens.
Council Rock South’sLia Clark was the top finisher for the Golden Hawks (12th), while Maura Wandling (14th), Sandy Howe (21st), Emily Markara (22nd), Megan Magee (36th), and Kelly Doyle (38th) also competed.
Upper Merion’sColeen Butler was the top Viking with a 16th place finish. Ashley Anderson (27th), Gabrielle Hnatin (28th), Kristen Bowes (42nd), Zeinab Bakillaj (45th), and Esther Grambs (48th) also competed for Upper Merion.
Bensalemhad four runners compete without score. Stephanie Brooks, Katherine Brewer, Jill McAndrews, and Sierra Fowler all competed for the Owls.
Central Bucks East Invitational
Varsity – Boys
The Pennsbury boys were the top performers as the Falcons soared to an easy victory with 41 points. North Penn (77) finished second, while Central Bucks East (112) was the third place finisher. Pennridge (138) finished in fifth place, while Council Rock South (161) took sixth place.
Pennsbury’s Connor Harriman captured first place in the race with a clocking of 16:15. Falcon teammate Sam Webb finished in fourth place (16:29), Alex Sauer finished in 11th place (17:26), Ari Bortman finished 12th (17:26), and Tom Martin finished 13th (17:28).
North Penn’s Jack Macauley finished second in the race with a clocking of 16:21. Knight teammate Ryan Grace placed 5th (16:41), while Matt Molloy took 9th (17:07).
Central Bucks East’s Alec Brand finished in third place with a clocking of 16:25. Patriot teammate Jake Brophy finished 8th (17:06).
Central Buck West’s Chris Berry finished seventh with a clocking of 17:06.
Upper Merion’s Christian Sanders finished in tenth place with a clocking of 17:08.
Pennridge’s Jeff Henderson was the top Ram finisher with a 15th place finish (17:31)
Council Rock South’s top finisher was Jeffrey Wiseman with a 16th place finish in a clocking of 17:34.
Bensalem’s Brad Rivera was the top Owl finisher with an 18th place finish in a time of 17:37.
Abington Invitational Notebook
Boys
Council Rock North senior Mac Emery ran the fastest time in the event and broke the tape with a clocking of 15:59. Indian teammate junior Ross Wilson finished second with a time of 16:08, while senior James Zingarini took seventh place with a clocking of 16:39.
Wissahickon junior Tristan Marcelis finished in 13th place with a time of 16:58.
Girls
Council Rock North junior Kaelyn Heinicke captured a fourth place finish with a clocking of 19:43, while teammate junior Nicki Van Thuyne finished in 11th place (20:16) and senior Hannah Kruman took 15th place (20:27).
Wissahickon senior Jessica Quesenberry finished in 20th place with a time of 20:40.
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