Our very own Phil Glatfelter was in Hershey on Sunday for the District cross country championships, where CV’s Vince McNally was up to his old tricks, successfully defending his title, while gearing up for the state meet. Here is Phil’s report from Monday’s New Era:
HERSHEY — Vince McNally’s list of goals for the 2007 high school cross country season has just one item left to be checked off.
That would be a PIAA championship.
The Conestoga Valley senior checked off another item Sunday, successfully defending his District 3 Triple-A crown with a convincing 19-second win at the old Hershey Parkview Golf Course.
“I was just able to bring it in, nice and relaxed at the finish, I didn’ want to come out here and overdo it,” said McNally, who also defended his Lancaster-Lebanon League championship earlier this month.
The day of the meet was changed for the second year in a row due to inclement weather. It was originally scheduled for Saturday morning.
“I was just doing what I have to do to take care of business and defend my title,” said McNally, who finished in 16:38, easily outdistancing Red Lion senior Greg Kareis. “Everything’s falling right into place, like it has all year long.”
The PIAA meet will be held Saturday, back at the Hershey Parkview course.
McNally led a solid day for L-L runners Sunday, especially the boys. In addition to his win, Lancaster Mennonite and Cedar Crest won Double-A and Triple-A team titles respectively.
“This is the first (team title) in school history,” said the Blazers’ top finisher, Seth Charles, who was eighth 17:59. “All the guys were just amazing out there. It was such a team effort.”
“I was so happy with that,” Charles said of his eighth-place finish. “Moving up (from 11th last year) is a little bit exciting.”
Sophomore Ryan Schloneger was next for LMH, finishing 12th in 18:22.
Manheim Township also qualified for the state meet in Triple-A, finishing fifth with 285 points. Senior Sam Murray (21st in 17:58) led the way for the Blue Streaks.
Cedar Crest scored 106 points to top Red Land for the Triple-A title, with senior Tom Troxell (ninth in 17:31) the top performer for the Falcons.
Hempfield’s Kevin Hull had a strong showing, finishing fourth in 17:11.
In the girls competition, Garden Spot freshman Emily Martin had the top L-L finish, following up her league title by taking third in the Triple-A race in 20:01. But she collapsed after crossing the finish line, and later was taken to the hospital.
“She’s going to be OK,” Garden Spot coach Brent Watkins said. “She’ll be ready to go next week for States.”
Martin’s legs buckled about 10 yards before the finish line, and she relinquished second place, but managed to recover enough to cross the finish line in third.
Martin was one of three L-L runners in the top 10 in the girls’ Triple-A race, with Penn Manor senior Meg Ecker sixth in 20:15 and Warwick sophomore Allison Mannon eighth in 20:19.
Mannon helped the Warriors earn a fourth-place finish in the team standings and a spot in the PIAA Meet. Kaitlyn Oliver was the next finisher for Warwick in 15th place (20:48).
Despite no top-15 finishers, Manheim Township’s girls’ joined the boys team in advancing to states after finishing fifth. Ruthie Rosenberger led the Streaks, finishing 17th in 20:51.
In Double-A, senior Lisa Wingard led Lancaster County runners, placing fourth in 21:00 for Lancaster Mennonite.
“Coach told me to be in the top 20-25 the first mile,” Wingard said, “and then pick it up throughout the race. I felt good the entire race.”
Teammate Katie Ruth added an 11th-place finish for the Blazers (21:34).
Kayleigh Perry of Elco was third in 20:54.
