Above: Watch the Boys Gold Race Above
VIDEOS | RESULTS | PHOTOS
- - -
PTXC 14 was not marred by the humid conditions that rolled over the KU Farm Course. Instead, athletes and teams thrived, empowered by stellar competition throughout the affair.
The Boys Gold Race got us underway with an instant classic.
Jonathan Hess (Lewisburg), Ari Snyder (Chambersburg), and Andrew Hampton (Cumberland Valley) dueled in the morning heat.
Hess took point while Snyder and Hampton methodically chased him through the hills of the Farm Course. Afterward, Snyder admitted that it was his plan. He wanted to make his move at the 2-mile mark, but when Hess made his move at a similar point, Snyder was forced to respond.
Up the final hill, the two remained stride-in-stride, now deadlocked in a sprint to the finish. Snyder pulled away in the final moments and earned himself the win in 16:14 (the same time we predicted he'd run). The mark was speed-rated 178 (According to Tully Runners)
Above: Snyder discussed his performance afterwards.
His performance was notable because it helped lead Chambersburg to the team championship. The District 3 squad knocked off three ranked boys teams: No. 9 Exeter Township, No. 11 Council Rock South, and No. 20 Cumberland Valley. The team scored just 66 points with a 1:22 1-5 compression.
The Battle between DiCola and Espinosa did not disappoint on the Girls' Side...
Above: DiCola discusses her race and the season ahead afterwards.
As predicted in our PTXC Predictions, Lillian DiCola (Hatboro Horsham) and Baylee Espinosa (Lewisburg) battled throughout most of the race. But it was DiCola who used her expertise on the course to pull away over the final mile and secure the victory in 19:06. The win marked her third PTXC crown in as many years.
DiCola is a cross-country runner through and through. She remained incredibly composed throughout the race and grabbed a gear when necessary.
Watch the Gold Girls Race Above.
Astonishingly - Severna Park and Pennridge tied in the team race. The Severna Park team won the tiebreaker, which goes to the sixth runner in High School Cross Country. Both teams scored 66 points.
Pennridge was the highest-ranked PA Team entering Saturday's meet and delivered on that ranking.
Brenna Dahlgren won the Girls Blue Race.
She cracked the 20-minute barrier and won by a near minute. Around the two-mile mark, she snuck a look back, but no one was in sight. She cruised to victory.
Marple Newtown took home the Team Title in that race. They overcame Severna Park (MD) by placing three girls in the Top-15.