Week 3 Lackawanna League XC Wrap-Up: Riverside, Old Forge, Abington Heights Lead the Way

Week 3 XC Wrap-Up

Week 3 of the Lackawanna League cross country season brought another round of competitive cluster meets, with several familiar names continuing to establish themselves at the front of the pack and some teams making strong moves in the team standings.

At McDade Park

West Scranton, Scranton, Mid Valley vs. Riverside, Dunmore and Old Forge

In the boys race, Mid Valley's Jacob Borrelli and West Scranton's Seamus Wallace once again paced the field, finishing 1-2 as they crossed the line together in 16:46. Just behind them was a train of Riverside runners led by Andrew Connor, who finished third in 17:06.

The real race, however, was between the undefeated Mid Valley and Riverside squads. A pack of four Riverside boys got out strong early in the race and never let up, claiming spots 3-4-5-6. Their tight pack running proved to be the difference as the Vikings secured the cluster victory and continued their push toward an undefeated season.

Three runners separated themselves from the pack throughout the race. Meg Bartlebaugh of Scranton earned her first cluster-meet win of the season in 20:26. Elena Bialkowski of Old Forge ran a strong race to take second in 20:42, while Dunmore freshman Olivia O'Brien finished third in 20:57.

In the team race, the ladies of Old Forge were the team to beat. They placed three runners in the top five, while their fourth and fifth runners were not far behind, giving them the depth needed to secure the cluster win.

At North Pocono

North Pocono, Valley View, Abington Heights vs. Elk Lake, Montrose and Blue Ridge

This was the fastest meet of the week, with 14 runners breaking 18 minutes, four breaking 17 minutes and one breaking 16 minutes. The win went to Elk Lake's Parker Upright in 15:55. Upright has been on a tear this season and continues to establish himself as the team's top runner. Blue Ridge's Paxton Pingarelli took second in 16:35 and continues to progress quickly as the season unfolds. Abington Heights' Joseph Grad took third in 16:43.

The boys of Abington Heights had five runners sprinkled throughout the top 15, giving them enough depth to take the cluster-meet victory and remain undefeated.

The girls race was equally fast, with the top five runners all breaking 20 minutes and one breaking 19. Valley View's Sadie Loftus found her way to another cluster victory this week, running an impressive 18:51. Not far behind was Abington Heights' top runner, Marley Gilboy, in 19:07. Elk Lake's Kendyl Weisgold took third in 19:39.

This was a matchup between two strong teams in Abington Heights and Elk Lake. However, Abington's depth proved to be too much to overcome, as seven runners finished in the top 16. Also not to be overlooked were the ladies of North Pocono, who put together a strong team performance.

At Honesdale

Honesdale, Delaware Valley, Wallenpaupack vs. Susquehanna, Mountain View and Forest City

Susquehanna's Evan Beamer didn't let the hardest course of the week slow him down as he took the win in 17:57. Nearly a minute behind him was a trio of Wallenpaupack runners led by Chase Predmore, who finished second in 18:48. Benson Kizer followed closely behind, taking third in 18:55.

The boys of Wallenpaupack look to have turned the corner, putting five runners in the top eight to take the cluster-meet win.

For the ladies, Delaware Valley's Grace Holderith is already showing late-season form. Holderith ran 19:54, putting more than a minute between herself and the next finisher.

The race of the day — and perhaps the race of the week — came for second and third place. Susquehanna's Josey Kelly finished second in 21:20, just one second ahead of Honesdale freshman Abby Kilker, who took third in 21:21.

Wallenpaupack was without its top runner but still managed to put five runners in the top 14 to earn the cluster victory.

At Western Wayne

Western Wayne, Lakeland, Lackawanna Trail vs. Scranton Prep, Holy Cross and Carbondale

Lakeland's Henry Decker paced his way to another victory, running 17:24. Not far behind was Holy Cross' Thomas Gavin in 17:37, followed by Lackawanna Trail's Chase Litwin in 17:46.

The boys of Holy Cross had a strong showing, putting five runners in the top 12 to take the cluster victory.

The girls' top three also produced a strong race, with all three runners finishing within 30 seconds of one another. Scranton Prep freshman duo Vella Byrne and Aileana Connor went 1-2 in 19:43 and 20:00, respectively. Not far behind was Western Wayne's Kaitlyn Kloss, who finished third in 20:09.

Scranton Prep's one-two punch, followed by a pack of five other runners finishing in 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th, proved to be more than enough to add another cluster victory to their season total.

Looking Forward

The ever-important Week 4 cluster meets are next. With teams racing against their own clusters in addition to the other clusters, Week 4 is sure to produce some of the best races of the season.

The boys of Abington Heights will look to stay undefeated against a surging Wallenpaupack team on their home course.

On the individual side, Mid Valley's Jacob Borrelli and West Scranton's Seamus Wallace will take on Lakeland's Henry Decker at Lackawanna Trail, setting up a pivotal battle for all-star points.

The girls of Abington Heights will also look to stay unbeaten against a solid Wallenpaupack team that will hopefully have its top runner back in the lineup.

And the individual race within this meet could be one of the best of the year, as Grace, Sadie, Marley and, hopefully, June look to put up some fast times.

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