PIAA Cross Country: Minersville’s Long places 16th to earn medal
Minersville's Kolin Long breaks the tape to win the Class A boys' race at the District 11 Cross Country Championships. Long finished 16th at states Saturday. (Submitted photo)
HERSHEY — Schuylkill League champion.
District 11 champion.
PIAA medalist.
Minersville senior Kolin Long completed the trifecta by placing 16th in the Class A boys’ race Saturday at the PIAA Cross Country Championships. Long clocked a 17:09 on the hilly, 5,000-meter layout on a sun-splashed, 55-degree day at Hershey’s Parkview Cross Country Course.
“It felt great. It was awesome to do because I missed it by a millisecond last year,’’ Long said. “It’s my senior year. I’ve been pushing for it all year long.’’
What was the key to the race?
“Just staying calm and getting out at an OK pace and not stressing out too much,’’ Long added.
Mohawk’s Jaxon Schoedel won the race in 15:52.
Winchester Thurston took the team title with 89 points. Riverview (105) placed second. Shenandoah Valley (430) finished 16th among 21 teams.
Last season, Long placed 26th and finished a fraction of a second short of a medal. Long ran in a pack of eight runners who crossed the finish line just one second apart. Long ran 17:17 a year ago, the same as two others who finished ahead of him.
This time, he made no mistake, finishing 19 seconds ahead of the cut line. The top 25 runners overall are honored as All-State and receive medals.
“The only thing I could have done better is place better at states,’’ Long said. “It was just a great senior season for me.’’
Added Minersville coach Jason Burgess: “One of the best we’ve ever had. He came up short by one place last year. The goal was to get back here (and medal). It’s tough year to year. It’s a new year; staying healthy. … It took a lot to get back here, and it’s great for him. Looking forward to track season, too.’’
Shenandoah Valley junior Robert Espinal placed 63rd in 18:11 to lead the Blue Devils. Senior Ayden Zamudio finished 136th in 19:12 to score for the Devils.
Weatherly senior Sebastian Williams placed 106th in 18:45, followed closely by Schuylkill Haven senior Carter Daniel (109th in 18:48) and Mahanoy Area senior William Mayberry (110th in 18:48).
CLASS AA BOYS
Blue Mountain junior Francesco Carr led the locals, placing 54th in 17:32.
Tamaqua seniors Tony Marchetti (104th in 17:59) and Levi Kunkel (123rd in 18:15) also competed in this division.
Lewisburg’s Jonathan Hess took the gold medal in 15:57.
Grove City won the team title, 85-126 over Lewisburg.
CLASS 3A BOYS
Mifflin County’s Carter Smith broke the tape in 15:41, the fastest time of any of the 759 boys who competed.
State College rolled to the team title with 53 points. La Salle College finished second with 117.
CLASS A GIRLS
Schuylkill Haven senior Anna Schaeffer led the local contingent, placing 31st in 21:09.
Tri-Valley freshman Anna Cook finished 86th in 22:21, and Mahanoy Area junior Felicia Bro took 91st in 22:25.
Warrior Run’s Claire Dufrene won the race in 19:04.
Cranberry captured the team title with 88 points. Our Lady of Sacred Heart placed second with 101. Shenandoah Valley finished 18th in the 20-team field with 447 points. Victoria Hernandez, who placed 168th in 24:22, led the Blue Devils.
CLASS AA GIRLS
Saucon Valley junior Virginia Kraus won her third straight state title. She clocked an 18:18, the best girls’ time of the 734 finishers across all three classes.
Erie Cathedral Prep won the team title, 118-151 over Lewisburg.
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Hatboro Horsham’s Lillian Dicola took the gold in 18:31.
Haverford Township edged Owen J. Roberts, 110-119, for the team crown.
