Running for Success by Meghan Witcop, 2015

On Thursday October 27th, the cross country team went to the WPIAL championships.  Both teams were hoping for a win, even though it would be a tough race.  With the weather in the low 40s, freezing rain and the trail a massive mud pit, no one knew how they would perform.  As the races neared the excitement started to build and the jitters began.
Up first were the girls.  The team consisted of Mary Hannon, Leyla Turcios, Vicki Grant, Amanda Carmichael, Swati Rajprohat, Erica Belloma, and Natalie Sena.  The girls ran hard in horrible conditions and placed 17th out of 35 teams.  In cross country, only the top four teams forward to States.  As an individual, the top twenty runners not including the qualifying team members are invited to States.  Mary Hannon who came in at the time of 22:12 is heading to States.
Finally, it was the boy’s turn to run.  The team consisted of Matt Haupt, Nick Kocent, Ryder Ballou, Ian Schrenk, Dominic DeSalle, Greg Suehr, and Alexander Michalenko.  The team placed 7th out of 42 teams.  Even though the team isn’t going to States, three individual runners qualified for States, Matt Haupt, Nick Kocent, and Ryder Ballou.  Ryder Ballou is the first ever freshman to qualify for States.
The State Championship is on November 5 at Hershey, Pa.  We wish all the runners Good Luck!