Bethel Park girls running with the best
Other than its 26-29 loss to Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park has dominated the girls’ cross-country scene. The Lady Hawks began the season winning the Gateway Invitational then finished fourth in the Red, White and Blue Classic.
Bethel Park prepared for a key section meet this week against South Fayette, which won last year’s Class AA title, and rival Upper St. Clair. The meet will be hosted by the Lady Lions.
So far the Lady Hawks’ start bodes well for a strong finish. They hope to challenge in the WPIAL championships set for Oct. 23 at Coopers Lake in Slippery Rock.
“Our goals are to continue to train hard and keep improving,” said Scott Steranko, who is in his fifth season as head coach. “If we continue to do well, we’ll be ready for WPIALs. From there, we’ll see what happens. There are a lot of good programs.”
Mt. Lebanon’s is one of the best. The girls are two-time defending WPIAL champions and two-time top three finishers in the state. In addition, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Butler, North Hills, Shaler and South Fayette have strong programs, says Steranko.
However, only the top three teams out of District VII and the top 15 individuals advance to the PIAA championships set for Nov. 1.
“Since they changed [formats], it’s made for a challenge,” Steranko said. “But, we are up for the challenge.”
The Lady Hawks certainly were up for the challenge against Lebo. While Kelsey Potts won the race in 19:24, fellow juniors Dani Hinish and Karissa Coffield secured second and third places overall for BP. Courtney Conway and Claire Macowski finished seventh and eighth while Amy Bogan took 10th overall.
“Absolutely pleased,” said Steranko of BP’s showing. “It was a great performance.
“Lebo has a great program and we have a great deal of respect for them. They are ranked first in the state,” he added. “We showed we could run with them. For us to be competitive with them says a lot.”
BP’s win at Gateway at the start of the season said a lot. In winning the invitational, the Lady Hawks placed three girls in the top 10. Coffield placed sixth. Hinish was seventh. Conway copped ninth.
“Our goal was to win,” said Steranko, who has been coaching with BP’s track program for 10 years since retiring from the football staff. “We have met our goals so far this season.”
Even the junior varsity is achieving its goals and winning. The squad took first at Gateway, too. Megan McClary, Maria Catozzi, Meg Fedkoe, Bridget Heh, a 10th grader, who often runs varsity, and freshman Haley Radcliff all finished in the top 12 and earned medals for the Hawks.
For BP, seniors Katelyn Hancock, Bogan and Conway serve as captains. “Senior leadership is why we have been so successful,” Steranko said. “It’s a great class. They are highly motivated.”
The Lady Hawks will be equally charged up for their meet against South Fayette and Canon-Mac. “They both have good programs. All the teams in our section have great coaches and great programs,” Steranko said.
“But, I’m excited for this group. I have been waiting for them for four years. They are motivated, hard-working girls and they get along great. They remind me of some of the great athletes we have had here at Bethel in the past.”