Five area returning cross country girl runners have postseason experience
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From Mirror reports
High school girls cross country in the area is blessed to have some runners in 2023 who have enjoyed success in the past.
Central Cambria, an area powerhouse in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference as well as on the District 6 Class 2A and state levels, boasts a trio of juniors who were Mirror first-team all-stars last year -- Morgan Brandis, Abigail Sheehan and Alaina Sheehan.
Those three helped the Lady Red Devils earn the District 6 2A championship last year.
Central's Lanee Berkhimer is also back for her sophomore season. She is the defending District 6 Class 1A individual champion and placed 10th at the state meet.
Portage welcomes back Alex Chobany for her senior season. She won the Heritage Conference championship meet last year and also was a state qualifier.
One significant change this season is that Hollidaysburg, Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis begin competition in the LHAC.
The following is a capsulized look at the area teams:
Altoona
Coach: Tabitha Quinn, 23rd year
Career record: 115-71
Last year's record: 5-2
Conference: Independent
Returning starters: Senior--Josie Ciccarella. Juniors--Gracie Gioiosa, Alana Rinehart, Mary Stoltz
Other returnees: Juniors--Anna Resign, Evan Drumm. Sophomores--Natalie Etters, Miley Naugle, Emerson Snare
Newcomers: Sophomore--Grace Long. Freshmen--Brionna Adams, Riley Behe, Abigail Harkins, Riley Ferguson, Gianna Fiore, Lana Luke, Ashlyn Noce, Ryanne Resig
Strengths: "With our returning runners and our newcomers, we are looking forward to a stronger season. Their experience has built an incredible mind set in their offseason training. They will be able to tap into their racing potential by the end of the season."
Concerns: "Patience and progress. They know the importance of working as a team and are self-driven. However, as individuals, each one has to be able to listen to her own physical and emotional limits in her training-racing routine, recover and rest. Certainly, our travel race schedule is challenging with only three home meets."
Overall outlook: "We have been building a stronger team over the past two seasons. With the added depth, we will see our team spread, times and, ultimately, our scores will be more competitive. The team will see some changes, but they are flexible and resilient. We are looking forward to the competition to get the most out of each individual to reach our team goals."
Assistant coaches: Trevor Palfey, Deborah Kissell
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Connor Hunter, second year
Career record: 14-10
Last year's record: 14-10
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Evanlyna Aiken, Rorie Wolf. Junior--Jalynn Partner. Sophomores--Madolyn Kenner, Madelyn Larson, Chloe Stolzfus.
Other returnees: Junior--Trinity Maines. Sophomore--Maddalena Pulcinello
Newcomers: Juniors--Rylie Andrews, Rowan Kyle. Sophomores--Hailey Loupe, Elliana Patterson. Freshmen--Karley Dickinson, Peyton Hammond, Julie Kraft, Jayden Maines, Blake Pennington
Strengths: "We have a lot of new talent that we can develop, great team camaraderie and very knowledgeable assistant coaches that can give them the attention that they need."
Concerns: "We lost the majority of our varsity runners, so we're hoping our new athletes can fill the gaps that were left."
Overall outlook: "The future looks very bright for our team. Although we've lost some great runners, we've gained newcomers with great potential. We're entering our new conference with hopeful optimisim. With a team that's this kind and fun to coach, it's a win no matter what."
Assistant coaches: Jennifer Soisson, Rhonda Mills, Naomi Pennington, Patrick Sachse, Julie Roseborough
Cambria Heights
Coach: John Kuskoski, 31st year
Career record: 231-186
Last year's record: 5-6
Conference: Heritage
Returning starters: Senior--Maelyn Kutruff. Juniors--Savannah Hoover, Zoe Adams. Emily Lowe, Liv Farabaugh. Sophomores--Jose McMullen, Jackie McMullen
Other returnees: Senior--Ellie McMullen. Junior--Katie Drass
Newcomers: Freshman--Megan Eckenrode
Strengths: "Experience. A lot of these girls started running in seventh grade. They showed great improvements during the spring track season."
Concerns: "First, they need to realize how good their team could be, and then make an 'all in' commitment to be that team."
Overall outlook: "This team should see a leap of improvement in their conference and in District 6."
Assistant coaches: Art "Buzz" Deckard, Dana Bender, Tammy Nagel
Central
Coaches: Lacey Ceshini and Joe Bilka
Last year's record: 3-9
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starter: Sophomore--Lanee Berkhimer
Overall outlook: "Freshman Lanee Berkhimer won the District 6 Class 1A championship meet and was invited to states in Hershey, where she placed 10th."
Central Cambria
Coach: Randy Wilson, 24th season
Career record: 261-5
Last year's record: 13-0 LHAC, District 6 Class 2A champions, fifth place at PIAA Class 2A championships
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Sophie Westrick. Juniors--Morgan Brandis, Keira Link, Aubrey Ruddek, Abigail Sheehan, Alaina Sheehan, Regan Tronzo. Sophomore--Alaina Long
Newcomers: Freshmen--Mia Ashurt, Katie George, Kylie Krumenacker
Strengths: "A good blend of upper- and underclassmen have been working hard all summer to continue the success of the Central Cambria girls cross country program."
Concerns: "Overcoming the graduation of multiple state medal winners from the class of 2023."
Overall outlook: "With the tough competition we face in the LHAC, we hope to be competitive at the conference, district and state level.''
Assistant coaches: Bryce Descavish, Tim Miller
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Travis Singer, ninth year
Career record: 37-45
Last year's record: 4-4
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Mary McKeegan, CeCe Williams. Juniors--Sophia Moyer, Anna Statler. Sophomores--Rylan Carney, Nora Statler
Newcomers: Junior--Claire Muriceak. Sophomore--Christine Diaz. Freshmen--Katie Etters, Sarah Hartkorn, Addison Smith, Josie Watt
Strengths: "Outstanding team-first attitude. This group works very well together and are supremely coachable.''
Concerns: "As with any group of young athletes, injury prevention is paramount. Also, our first year in the expanded Laurel Highlands Conference offers us new challenges and opponents, so we need to build familiarity quickly.''
Overall outlook: "With some very welcoming veterans and outstanding workers among our underclassmen, this group is a very balanced mix of student-athletes. I'm looking forward to seeing progress they make this year. I think we will do well in the conference.''
Assistant coaches: Cassie Kachur, Matt Manfred, Emily Rouzer, Nicole Stouffer
Juniata Valley
Coach: Dolores Gahagan, 39th year
Last year's record: 10-0
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Madison Sneath, Aylee Pheasant, Isabelle Anderson, Kate Dyreson. Sophomore--Eve McCrum
Newcomers: Sophomore--Lauren Kline. Freshman--Lilly Sunderland
Strengths: "Our girls team has some strong returning runners. Our four seniors have several years of experience and will make a strong impact on our team. Madison Sneath and Kate Dyreson were both ICC all-stars last year. Isabelle Anderson was a consistent top runner our our team, and Aylee Pheasant looks really tough this fall and will definitely help with scoring. Sophomore Eve McCrum was a consistent scorer last year and is looking good in the preseason. Sophomore newcomer Lauren Kline worked hard over the summer and will be an asset to the team. Freshman Lilly Sunderland has been a part of our program as a junior high runner, looks very strong and is excited to be a scorer for our varisty team."
Concerns: "We don't have huge numbers, so depth will definitely be an issue. We will work hard to keep all of our runners healthy throughout the season."
Overall outlook: "We are excited to work with such an enthusiastic and positive group of kids. We hope to remain competitive within our league. Our goal is to keep everyone healthy, improve fittness and strength over the course of the season and hopefully have everyone running their best during the championship portion of the season."
Assistant coaches: Krista McCrum, Ruthie Hess, Felicia Abrashoff
Northern Bedford
Coach: Whitley Mellott, fourth year
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starter: Junior--Savanna Hershberger
Newcomer: Freshman--Callie Miller
Strengths: We have two seasoned runners (boys and girls) who have been through many courses over the years and are great leaders to help with all the newcomers that are joining our team."
Concerns: "We are a very young team and have many newcomers (boys and girls), but the newcomers are very ambitious to learn and are willing to work hard."
Overall outlook: "We have a young and determined team that can do well with experience and mileage."
Penn Cambria
Coach: Kristin Talko, second year
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Sophia Hoover, Leah Shoemaker. Junior--Grace Sheehan. Sophomore--Miley Hoover
Newcomers: Freshman--Addasyn Berkheimer
Strengths: "We have some veterans who will provide leadership."
Concerns: "Our numbers are low. Depth will be an issue."
Overall outlook: "We hope to be very competitive."
Assistant coaches: Todd Niebauer, Lois Smith
Portage
Coach: Bob Newlin, second year
Career record: 2-9
Last year's record: 2-9
Conference: Heritage
Returning starters: Seniors--Cami Burkett, Alex Chobany. Sophomores--Cassie Burket, Liana Bagby
Newcomers: Freshmen--Brynn Burkett, Lily Haney, Jada Irvin, Kennedy Myers, Kendall Stancovich
Strengths: "A very dedicated group with an excellent worth ethic, led by state qualifier and defending Heritage Conference champion Alex Chobany. The Lady Mustangs have a good mix of experience and youth, plus depth that we haven't had in the past."
Concerns: "We need to stay healthy and continue to improve throughout the season."
Overall outlook: "With all the tough competition scheduled, they put in a lot of conditioning work over the summer to be ready. We are optimistic the team will gel quickly and compete each week. We need to learn to run as a team to achieve all the high goals they have set for themselves."
Assistant coaches: Amy Burkett, Lance Hudak (volunteer)
Tyrone
Coach: Tammy Wills, 23rd year
Last year's record: 7-1
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Aliyah Riling. Junior--Sophia Cower. Sophomore--Grace Corl
Newcomers: Freshmen--Sophia Witkamp, Saphira Williams, Skyla Hart
Strengths: "Hard-working talented runners.''
Concerns: "Numbers.''
Overall outlook: "Looking forward to what I think will be a successful season.''
Assistant coach: Randy Wilson
Williamsburg
Coach: April Wheland, fourth year
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Eliza Mock, Kara Landsberry. Sophomore--Macy Norris
Newcomer: Freshman--Adilyn Isenberg
Strengths: "Positive attitudes and impressive sportsmanship."
Concerns: "Our small size is always a concern, but our junior high program has been growing and we look forward to higher numbers in the next year or two."
Overall outlook: "Coach O and I are looking forward to watching our runners continue to grow in the sport and for some to run their final season. We have a great appreciation for the respect and sportsmanship we have in this year's group of runners."
Assistant coach: Loc O