Fog rolled over Bloomsburg University as the NEPA Invitational 2025 opened with the girls’ and boys’ junior high 3200-meter races. Shikellamy’s Carly Ross dominated the girls’ field in 11:10, while Danville claimed the team title with 91 points. On the boys’ side, Holy Redeemer’s Frank Pacelli edged Lewisburg’s Taylor Gulden-Luthi in a dramatic finish, clocking 10:00 to 10:01. District 2 runners shined with six top-12 finishes, led by Riverside’s Conner Moore in fifth. Lewisburg’s depth secured the boys’ team crown, while Crestwood placed second and Mid Valley edged Riverside by one point for fifth.

The NEPA Invitational 2025 at Bloomsburg University featured standout varsity races as Warrior Run’s Clair Dufrene cruised to a dominant win in the girls’ race, while Northwestern’s Michael Fritz captured the boys’ crown. Local teams Hazleton Area and Riverside impressed with depth and top finishes, with Riverside earning the boys’ team title.

Mid Valley’s Jacob Borrelli stole the spotlight in Week 4 of the Lackawanna League Cluster Meets, breaking both the course and school record with a blistering 16:37 to lead the Spartans past Riverside in a 27-29 thriller. Elk Lake’s Kendel Jones also etched his name into history with a 15:30 at Valley View, pacing a 1-2-3 sweep, while Wallenpaupack’s Aiden Janowicz edged Maxx Kelly by just 0.3 seconds in a dramatic finish. On the girls’ side, Abington’s Anna Pucilowski turned in a dominant 18:21 to keep the Comets unbeaten, Old Forge won by a single point over Mid Valley, and Wallenpaupack’s depth carried the day against Delaware Valley.

District 2 athletes made their presence felt at the Foundation Invitational in Hershey, turning in standout performances against some of the state’s best. Elk Lake and Riverside battled to second and third in the Single A boys race, while Kendyl Weisgold of Elk Lake grabbed a top-five finish in the girls competition. With multiple medalists and several teams cracking the top 20 overall, the day proved District 2 will be a force when the state championships return to the Park.

Riverside, Mid Valley, Abington Heights and Elk Lake each showcased their depth in a packed week of Lackawanna League cluster meets, with standout wins from Mikey Schimelfenig, Seamus Wallace, Anna Puculowski and Kendle Jones leading the way across the region.

Mid Valley had a big day, with the boys cross country team knocking off last year’s league champs behind individual winner Jacob Borrelli and five Spartans finishing in the top nine, while the soccer team battled past Lakeland 2-1 thanks to goals from Tyler Narcoonis and Ethan Johnson.

Week 2 of the Lackawanna League cross country season delivered dominant team showings and individual breakthroughs across cluster meets. Elk Lake’s boys swept the top three spots behind Kendel Jones, Mid Valley’s Jacob Borrelli powered the Spartans past Wallenpaupack, and Susquehanna’s Kiera Burke cruised to a commanding win. Abington Heights and Valley View’s girls also flexed their depth, while Holy Cross’s Thomas Gavin earned his first cluster victory on the boys’ side.

Heat was no match for Holy Redeemer’s Frank Pacelli, who took control early and never looked back in the Junior High Boys race at the Commissioner’s Invitational. Pacelli crossed the line in 9:16, a full 26 seconds ahead of Abington’s Jack Stopper. While Pacelli ran away with the individual crown, Stopper’s runner-up finish helped power Abington Heights to the team title, placing five runners in the top 14. Danville secured second place behind strong runs from Cade Mulcahy and Sam Didomenico, with Riverside rounding out the top three thanks to a third-place finish by Connor Moore.

Rain poured throughout the Varsity Boys race at the Lackawanna County Commissioner’s Meet, but that didn’t slow Elk Lake’s star duo. Kendel Jones and Cody Adams went one-two with Parker Upright in fourth, yet Riverside’s depth proved too much to overcome. Led by Mikey Schimelfenig’s clutch third-place finish and four more inside the top 20, the Vikings claimed the team title with 51 points. Elk Lake settled for second with 61, just edging Wallenpaupack by a single point, as the Buckhorns placed eight runners in the top 25. The battle of front-runners versus depth highlighted District 2’s small school strength, promising a thrilling season ahead.

🏃‍♂️ Build-N-Athlete 5K & 10K Recap – A Race With Purpose 🏃‍♀️ On June 1st, the community came together in Peckville, PA for the first-ever Build-N-Athlete 10K, alongside a packed 5K and Kids Fun Run. From record-breaking finishes to family fun, basket raffles, and kids’ games, it was more than a race—it was a celebration of unity, wellness, and youth empowerment. Proceeds supported Build-N-Athlete, a nonprofit working to make sports gear and mentorship accessible for underprivileged youth in NEPA. With powerful finishes, smiling faces, and an unforgettable mission, this event proved—we’re not just building athletes. We’re building futures. 🌟 Learn more or get involved at buildnathlete.org