Running Towards Greatness: Anna Pucilowski's Extraordinary Year in Cross Country
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | October 27, 2024 | Photo courtesy Emily Hoban
Anna Pucilowski is enjoying an extraordinary year as a Junior Cross Country Runner, boasting an impressive track record. Currently, she holds the title of Lackawanna Runner of the Year, is a member of the First Team Lackawanna All-Star, and has broken 5 course records at Valley View, North Pocono, Elk Lake, Delaware Valley, and McDade Park. Additionally, she has achieved championships as both an individual and team in District AAA, secured third place at the PIAA Foundation Meet (the pre-state invitational), and remains undefeated with a personal record of 17:45 for the 5k distance.
In her commitment to offseason training, Anna participated in the Five Star Cross Country Camp this past August. Furthermore, she prioritizes her strength and endurance conditioning at FAME Strength in Dallas, undertaking over a 45-minute morning drive to attend a 6 am strength class, ensuring she maintains peak physical condition.
Historically, Anna has also experienced considerable success. In her Freshman year of Cross Country, she was recognized as Runner of the Year, a First Team Lackawanna All-Star, and served as the low point scorer for Abington Heights. She was an undefeated champion at the District AAA level and set 3 course records (Valley View, McDade, and Montrose), finishing 27th at the AAA state meet with a personal record of 18:15 for the 5k.
During her Freshman track season, she was named a First Team Lackawanna All-Star, finished 6th in the District AAA 3200m, and 7th in the District AAA 1600m, achieving seasonal personal records of 2:28 in the 800m, 5:20 in the 1600m, and 11:20 in the 3200m.
As a Sophomore, in Cross Country, she continued her streak as a First Team Lackawanna All-Star, was the low point scorer for Abington Heights, and finished as the runner-up in District AAA while also being a team champion. She placed 56th at the AAA state meet, and her team achieved an AAA runner-up position, the highest in District history, with a season PR of 19:06 for the 5k.
In her Sophomore track season, she earned First Team Lackawanna All-Star honors, became the League and District 3200m champion, was the runner-up in the League and District 1600m, and placed 22nd in the AAA state 3200m, with personal records of 2:26 in the 800m, 5:10 in the 1600m, and 11:03 in the 3200m.
Looking ahead, Anna is set to compete in the AAA Cross Country State Championship race in Hershey on Saturday, November 2nd.
