Wallenpaupack Triumphs in Boys AAA Team Competition at PIAA District 2 XC Championships
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | October 23, 2024
Wallenpaupack Triumphs in Boys AAA Team Competition at PIAA District 2 XC Championships
The 2024 PIAA District 2 Cross Country Championships witnessed fierce competition in Meshoppen, PA, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, as teams from across the region gathered at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds. Wallenpaupack emerged victorious in the Boys AAA race, edging out Hazleton Area by a narrow margin to secure the team title.
Wallenpaupack claimed the top spot with 47 points, led by standout performances from junior Aiden Janowicz, who crossed the finish line first with a time of 16:29.3. The team demonstrated remarkable consistency, placing four runners in the top 15, including JP Yeo (7th), Chase Predmore (8th), and Owen Wolff (15th), sealing the win.
Hazleton Area, finishing just behind with 50 points, was propelled by senior Franklin Ritz, who placed second with a time of 16:51.2. Despite strong efforts from Owen Pollock (4th) and Christian Matos Mendez (9th), Hazleton fell short of the title by three points.
Abington Heights rounded out the top three, scoring 58 points. Their top finisher, Timothy Fogley, claimed 5th place with a time of 17:06.6, followed closely by Hamza Mirza (10th) and George Sutton (11th).
Other notable performances came from West Scranton’s Seamus Wallace, who finished 3rd with a time of 16:58.3, and Delaware Valley’s Michael Donlon, who placed 6th at 17:12.0.
Wallenpaupack’s victory was a true team effort, with their runners demonstrating the depth and determination needed to secure the championship. Hazleton and Abington Heights also displayed resilience, pushing Wallenpaupack to the limit in one of the closest team battles of the season.
Boys AAA Top 5 Team Scores:
1. Wallenpaupack - 47 points
2. Hazleton Area - 50 points
3. Abington Heights - 58 points
4. West Scranton - 116 points
5. Delaware Valley - 175 points
Individual Top 5 Finishers:
1. Aiden Janowicz (Wallenpaupack) - 16:29.3
2. Franklin Ritz (Hazleton Area) - 16:51.2
3. Seamus Wallace (West Scranton) - 16:58.3
4. Owen Pollock (Hazleton Area) - 17:05.2
5. Timothy Fogley (Abington Heights) - 17:06.6
The athletes now look forward to the state championships, where Wallenpaupack and the other top runners will aim to continue their success on a larger stage.
