Schuylkill League Cross Country Championships: Schuylkill Haven’s Schaeffer becomes 3-time girls’ winner
The girls break away from the starting line Wednesday at the Schuylkill League Cross Country Championships at White Birch Golf Course. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
BARNESVILLE — No contest.
Running her best time ever on the 3.1-mile White Birch Golf Course layout, Schuylkill Haven senior Anna Schaeffer confirmed her dominance and made a little history Wednesday afternoon at a sun-splashed Schuylkill League Cross Country Championships.
Breaking the tape in 19:29, Schaeffer won her third straight girls’ gold at the league meet. She took the lead immediately and was never threatened as she cruised around the S-shaped course on a brisk, 53-degree day. Blue Mountain junior Hannah Wildermuth finished second in 21:02, and Mahanoy Area junior Felicia Bro took third in 21:05.
Schaeffer also captured her first two league titles at White Birch. In 2022, she won in 20:08. Last year, she broke the tape in 20:15.
“I went out really fast. I’ve been doing that a lot more this year,” Schaeffer said. “It’s been really helpful in my previous races. I knew the time I wanted to hit. I had to stay relaxed. I did that, and it paid off.”
With her victory, Schaeffer joined an exclusive list of three-time Schuylkill League girls’ champions. That list includes North Schuylkill’s Cori McCormick, West Hazleton’s Kelli Hunt and Shamokin’s Farrah Ryan. Tamaqua’s Alexa Griffiths and Pottsville’s Paige Stoner are the only girls’ four-time league champions.
“It’s really special to be on the three-timers list for Haven,” Schaeffer said. “There have been some great ladies that have been on it before, and I’m honored to be part of the list.”
The team race belonged to Blue Mountain, which finished with 25 points. Tamaqua (68) took second, and Schuylkill Haven (89) placed third. The Eagles placed five runners among the top nine overall. Following Lindenmuth, freshmen Hope Scheidel (21:25), Emma Lazarchick (21:30) and Sarah Satterfield (21:32) finished 4-5-6. Sophomore Vanessa Franselli placed ninth overall in 21:48.
“The girls ran well today. They were grouped together,” Blue Mountain coach Tom Kanger said. “That’s one thing we’ve been working on with them. We have a pack of girls. Most of the girls are new to the team.”
Next up is the District 11 Cross Country Championships, set for Oct. 23 at DeSales University. The top two teams and 10 individuals not on those teams in each classification will qualify for the PIAA Championships, to be held Nov. 2 at the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey.
