Canon-McMillan, South Fayette shine in cross country
Ethan Linderman (right) set a fast pace for his teammate, Mike Strosko, as well as the rest of the field during the WPIAL cross country championships. The senior finished fourth overall and helped Canon-McMillan secure runner-up honors in the Class AAA boys’ team competition.
Aaron Pfeil set the pace for South Fayette during the WPIAL Class AA boys’ competition. The Lions finished runner-up in the division. Pfeil, a sophomore, placed seventh overall with a 17:24 time.
Morgan Grudi of Canon-McMillan qualified for the PIAA cross country championships to be held in November in Hershey.
As expected, North Allegheny captured its 10th consecutive boys’ team title, and Brianna Schwartz from Shaler dominated the girls’ field, setting a new course record and winning her third straight gold medal during the WPIAL cross country championships run at Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock.
However, for Canon-McMillan and South Fayette fans there were a few pleasant surprises. The Big Macs claimed runner-up honors with 105 points in the Class AAA boys’ team standings, slipping into second place behind the Tigers (47) and ahead of third-place Mt. Lebanon (135). “It was a good day for CM distance,” said Mark Galley. “Last year’s fourth place was our highest in decades, but this finish surpassed that.”
Meanwhile, the Lions took home two trophies, second for boys and third for girls in the Class AA team standings.
“I haven’t stopped smiling since the races,” said Lindsay Dolan, who is in her first season as head coach at South Fayette. “I am so proud of each of my runners. We certainly had all of the odds against us at the beginning of the season, but we slowly washed away those doubts.”
The boys, who won last year’s title with a senior-dominated group, scored 139 points to place second behind Knoch (104), which captured its first championship. Sophomore Aaron Pfeil led the way, finishing seventh overall with a 17:24 time. Freshman Sam Snodgrass (22) and senior Devan Sandala (24) placed in the top 25, while senior Alex Frazer (41) and freshman Michael Cusick (45) added Top 50 finishes. Junior Mitchell (91) and Michael Hasis (97) completed South Fayette’s showing.
The girls improved nine slots from last year’s showing to take third place behind Quaker Valley (43) and Knoch (109).
Senior Natalie Hilton and freshman Maria DeCello led the Lady Lions, finishing 10th and 11th overall with times of 21:04 and 21:05. Junior Hannah Kenawell followed in 13th position two seconds later.
Other top finishers for the Lady Lions included: junior Sydney Lerda (40th), senior Morgan Gimigliano (50th), sophomore Jenne Harasin (54th) and sophomore Allison Gates (85th).
While South Fayette takes both its teams to the PIAA championships set for Nov. 1, the Big Macs advanced just its boys’ unit along with Morgan Grudi. The sophomore finished 18th overall in the Class AAA race with a 19:56 time.
“[Morgan] had a strong race and achieved her goal of making states for the first time. She will do well on the hills at Hershey,” predicted Galley.
Meanwhile the Big Mac boys did well because they keyed on Mt. Lebanon. “We have so much respect for Coach [Mike] Agostinella and the Mt. Lebanon program that we knew if we set our sights on them we would have a very good chance of making states,” explained Galley. “The boys all stepped up and were really focused on the Lebo runners all the way to the finish.”
After North Allegheny seniors Matt McGoey and Hunter Wharrey set the winning paces of 15:57 and 16:13, Ethan Linderman followed in fourth place. The senior led the way for the Big Macs, finishing in 16:33.
“Ethan once again showed why he is one of the best,” Galley said. “He was patient over the first mile and came through under pressure to hold off a pack of very good runners who were chomping at his heels at the castle.”
Johnathan Weese followed Linderman. The senior clocked in at 16:57 for 17th place. Noting Weese gave up soccer to run cross country, Galley said the team is “thankful” for that choice. Despite suffering a tough track injury, Weese duplicated his 2013 showing. “He came up big for us,” said Galley.
After a breakthrough time at the Mingo Classic and a fourth-place showing at the County Meet, Matt Mansfield finished 20th overall. The sophomore clocked in at 17:02.
Mike Strokso is another harrier that sacrificed. He gave up basketball two seasons ago to run cross country. Running with Linderman early, the senior put himself in position to finish in the top group, says Galley. Strokso placed 26th overall with a 17:09 time.
Mike Cappelli and Jonas Wudkwych battled for CM’s fifth spot. The senior and junior clocked in at 17:09 and 17:31 to take positions 38 and 46 in the race. Sophomore James Zukowski was 74th in 18:13.
“Jonas made up a six-second gap in the final yards to catch Lebo’s six man and though would have given us the tiebreaker in the event we needed it,” added Galley. Regarding Zukowski’s showing, Galley noted, his finish was higher than any other team’s seventh man except NA’s.
While Galley is thrilled with his team’s finish, he was particularly pleased with his runners. “Obviously, I am excited by this accomplishment, but what I am most proud of is the way this group of young men focused, competed and ran for each other,” he said. “That is what makes cross country such a special sport.”
Special has been the sport for the Lebo ladies. They were the two-time champions before Seneca Valley unseated them last week. The Raiders, which took places 5-7 overall, won the Class AAA title with 87 points. Mt. Lebanon followed in second with a 92 team score.
“Our girls ran a great race,” said Oscar Shutt, “but Seneca Valley had a great day and earned the victory.”
After the 1-2 finish of Schwartz (course record of 17:25) and Madeleine Davison of North Allegheny (18:08), Kelsey Potts took third. The junior clocked in at 18:46.
“Kelsey finished third to two amazing runners,” Shutt noted.
Grace Tandon had a dominate showing. The junior shaved 61 seconds off last year’s championship run and 34 seconds off her fastest course mark this season to place 12th overall in 19:46.
Claire Doughterty and Sadie Saxton exhibited equal improvement. The juniors placed 14th and 17th overall with respective times of 19:50 and 19:54. Though she placed 46th overall, Rory Vigrass was the sixth-best freshmen in the AAA race with a 21:21 time. Ellie Meinzer and Paulina Braverman also competed for the Blue Devils.
With WPIALs behind them, the Lebo ladies are looking forward to the PIAAA championships. “We look forward to matching up against [Seneca Valley], North Allegheny and the other teams out east in Hershey,” Shutt said.
The Blue Devil boys have also qualified for states. Ian Baun leads Lebo. The senior finished ninth overall at WPIALs with a 16:45 time.
Ian Harris, a junior, and Bryce Brandenstein, a freshman, followed in 17:15 and 17:16. Other top finishers for Lebo included: Todd Gunzenhauser (17:25), Joshua Kalapos (17:26), Matthew Stone (17:47) and Jamie Kozorra (18:25).
Individuals qualify
Several area athletes gained individual berths in the PIAA championships to be held Nov. 1 in Hershey.
Becca Volz and Mary Olivia Philbin led the way for Bishop Canevin, which finished sixth in the Class A girls’ standings. A sophomore, Volz finished eighth overall with a 20:55 time. A senior, Philbin placed 13th with a 21:32.
“It’s really exciting especially since it’s my senior year,” said Philbin. “It’s a good way to end my career.”
For Volz, who qualified as a freshman, and Philbin, a Mt. Lebanon resident, their objectives for states are simple. “We want to try to get the best times we can and see how we match up against the others,” they said. “And,” they added, “have fun.”
Caelan MacDonald qualified for Seton-La Salle. The freshman finished 14th overall for Class A girls with a 21:33 time.
Danielle Hinish paced Bethel Park to a fourth-place showing in the Class AAA girls’ team standings. The junior placed ninth overall with a 19:41 time and qualified for states.
Other top finishers for the Lady Hawks included: Karissa Coffield, Coutney Conway, Claire Makowski, Katelyn Hancock, Amy Bogan and Bridget Heh.
Peters Township’s tandem of Nick Wolk and Chloe Grzyb qualified for states. A junior, Wolk took 10th place in Class AAA boys with a 16:50 finish. Grzyb placed 19th overall for girls. The junior clocked in at 20:01.
Joseph Westrick placed 23rd in Class AAA. The Chartiers Valley junior finished in 17:07.