Every Mirror 2023 first-team all-star member returning in girls cross country
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By Nate Ritchey
nritchey@altoonamirror.com
T he Altoona Mirror core coverage area high school cross country teams are poised for big things this year as all eight first-team members for last season's Mirror team are back to run for more hardware.
In addition to the entire first team back to compete, six of the eight second-team members as well as three of the six honorable mention runners return.
Central junior Lanee Berkhimer will be running for her third straight District 6 individual title, and will have to do so this year in Class 2A after winning the first two at 1A.
Berkhimer will also be looking to improve on her seventh-place finish at the state meet in Hershey last year after placing 10th as a freshman.
On the team side, Central Cambria is looking for a seventh consecutive District 6 team title and 19th in the past 20 years.
The Lady Red Devils welcome back three seniors in Keira Link, Abigail Sheehan and Alaina Sheehan, and junior Alaina Long from the Mirror's top team.
Seniors Morgan Brandis and Aubrey Ruddek, as well as sophomore Kylee Krumenacker, were on the second team last year.
Altoona sophomore Ashlyn Noce, Bishop Carroll sophomore Ava Pablic and Hollidaysburg sophomore Addison Smith round out the returning first-teamers.
Sophomore Lana Luke of Altoona, junior Rylan Carney of Hollidaysburg, sophomore Katie Etters of Hollidaysburg and senior Savanna Hershberger were second-team members last season, while senior Savannah Hoover of Cambria Heights, senior Sophia Moyer of Hollidaysburg and junior Emerson Snare of Altoona were placed on the honorable mention list.
The following is a capsule look at the girls tennis teams in the Mirror's core coverage area:
Altoona
Coach: Tabitha Quinn, 24th year
Career record: 123-73
Last year's record: 8-2
Conference: Independent
Returning starters: Seniors--Gracie Gioiosa, Alana Rinehart, Mary Stoltz. Junior--Emerson Snare. Sophomores--Brionna Adams, Lana Luke, Ashlyn Noce.
Other returners: Seniors--Eva Drumm, Anna Resig. Juniors--Natalie Etters, Grace Long, Miley Naugle. Sophomores--Riley Ferguson, Abigail Harkins, Ryanne Resig.
Newcomers: None
Strengths: "Our seniors provide fantastic leadership. Our returning starters are excited and looking forward to a competitive season. The girls individually followed through with an excellent track or swim season following a super cross country season. We must credit the teams working with their offseason sports, and the strength and conditioning program to complement their endurance training. The girls are definitely team-driven, and their work ethic is impressive.''
Concerns: "We need a little more depth to bring our spread closer. The girls know they have their work ahead as the season progresses, and the travel season intensifies. They have to work progressively with flexibility and patience.''
Overall outlook: "The team will race some top-notch competition throughout this season. With the level of competition at some of the larger invitationals, we will see a drop in their places from previous seasons. We are excited and motivated for the competition to get the most out of each individual to reach our team goals.''
Assistant coach: Travis Palfey
Junior high coaches: Hayden Boutiller, Deborah Kissell, Gianna Marasco
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Jennifer Soisson, first year
Career record: 0-0
Last year's record: 8-3
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Rylie Andrews. Junior--Chloe Stoltzfus. Sophomores--Peyton Hammond, Julie Kraft, Blake Pennington.
Other returners: Seniors--Rowan Kyle, Trinity Maines. Junior--Eliana Patterson. Sophomores--Karley Dickinson, Jayden Maines.
Newcomers: Senior--Hannah Waite. Freshmen--Maci Chronister, Sophia Fatzinger, Ava Franks, Isabella Sloey.
Strengths: "We have a lot of experienced returning runners with the addition of some new talent who have a lot to contribute to the team this season. Our coaching staff is knowledgeable, and our runners are eager to develop their abilities.''
Concerns: "We lost some of our top varsity runners, but our returnees and newcomers are up for the challenge.''
Overall outlook: "Many of our runners had a highly successful spring track season and carried that momentum into their summer training. We have a positive team culture, and they're excited to compete.''
Assistant coaches: Connor Hunter, Rhonda Mills, Naomi Pennington, Patrick Sachse, Julie Roseborough
Bishop Carroll
Coach: Mike Bradley, fifth year
Career record: 9-40
Last year's record: 9-1
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Caroline Golden. Sophomores--Avery Myers, Reagan Myers, Ava Pablic.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshmen--Caitlyn Bishop, Emily Lucko.
Strengths: "Slow heartbeats.''
Concerns: "Health.''
Overall outlook: "Best volleyball/cross country team in the land.''
Assistant coaches: None
Junior high coaches: None
Cambria Heights
Coach: John Kuskoski, 32nd year
Career record: 239-190
Last year's record: 8-4
Conference: Heritage Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Olivia Farabaugh, Savannah Hoover, Emily Lowe. Junior--Josephine McMullen. Sophomore--Megan Eckenrode.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshmen--Eden Blair, Sierra Hoover.
Strengths: "These girls are fortunate to have the leadership that captain and state qualifier Savannah Hoover brings to the team.''
Concerns: "There has been a drop-off in participation. Depth is definitely a big concern.''
Overall outlook: "If these girls can stay healthy, and if they can maintain a high-level of motivation, they will be very respectable in their conference and in District 6. Those are two big 'ifs.'''
Assistant coaches: Dana Bender, Art "Buzz" Deckard, Tammy Nagel
Junior high coaches: John Kuskoski, Dana Bender, Art "Buzz" Deckard, Tammy Nagel
Central
Coach: Joe Bilka, first year at Central; 20th year overall
Last year's record: Not enough runners to field a team
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Junior--Lanee Berkhimer. Sophomore--Reese Miller.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Senior--Alexis Fetzer. Freshmen--Kenly Bennett, Cori Garcia.
Strengths: "We have added three girls and will now be able to field a full girls team."
Concerns: "The important factor is to stay healthy.''
Overall outlook: "Looking forward to coaching this new, young group of runners and having Lanee Berkhimer return to Hershey for the third year in a row.''
Assistant coaches: Vicki Bilka, John Horton
Central Cambria
Coach: Randy Wilson, 25th year
Career record: 275-5
Last year's record: 14-0
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returners: Seniors--Morgan Brandis, Keira Link, Aubrey Ruddek, Abigail Sheehan, Alaina Sheehan. Junior--Alaina Long. Sophomores--Katie George, Kylie Krumenacker.
Newcomers: Freshmen--Paige Alexander, Leah Bowersox, Courtney Gleason, MaKenzie Hite, Anastasia Kubat, Ruth Remillard.
Strengths: "We have an exceptional blend of upperclassmen leadership and a great group of incoming freshmen. This group of women have been running together for a few years and have had an extremely great summer of training. They are looking to continue the tradition of success that those before them have created.''
Concerns: "Learning to navigate the new high school race environment for the incoming freshmen.''
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, Jeff Dick, Tyler Gibson, Tim Miller
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Travis Singer, 11th year
Career record: 45-46
Last year's record: 8-1
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Sophia Moyer, Anna Statler. Juniors--Rylan Carney, Nora Statler. Sophomores--Katie Etters, Addison Smith, Josie Watt.
Other returners: Senior--Claire Muriceak. Junior--Christine Diaz.
Newcomers: Freshmen--Alexis Barger, Sophia Beiswenger, Adalai Carney, Sophie Fiore.
Strengths: "We're returning our entire varsity squad from last year and adding some very talented freshmen. Their season of experience in the LHAC taught some great lessons, and they're looking forward to showing what they've learned.''
Concerns: "We're looking forward to really coming together as a team. I know that we've got some very stiff competition this season in our league and our district.''
Overall outlook: "Seeing the work these girls have done over the last 10 months has been encouraging. They're all looking forward to getting back out onto the course and improving on last year's results.''
Assistant coaches: Lilly Clayton, Cassie Kachur, Matt Manfred, Nicole Stouffer
Junior high coaches: NA
Juniata Valley
Coach: Dolores Gahagan, 40th year
Last year's record: 13-0
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Ella McCrum. Juniors--Lauren Kline, Eve McCrum. Sophomore--Lilly Sunderland.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Senior--Hannah Morrison.
Strengths: "Our girls team has a few returning runners who should help make an impact with scoring. Senior Ella McCrum did not run her junior year but is looking very strong returning for her senior season. Juniors Eve McCrum and Lauren Kline were consistent scorers last year and are looking competitive in preseason. Sophomore Lilly Sunderland had a solid freshman year and is looking to make an impact going into her sophomore season. Senior Hannah Morrison is new to running but is working hard during the preseason and should continue to improve over the course of the season.''
Concerns: "We don't have huge numbers, so depth is definitely 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 fitness and strength over the course of the season and hopefully have everyone running their best during the championship portion of the season.''
Assistant coaches: Ruthie Hess, Krista McCrum
Northern Bedford
Coach: Whitley Mellott, fourth year
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Savanna Hershberger.
Other returners: Sophomores--Jocelyn Fay, Lexis Spennati, Chendley Staley.
Newcomers: None
Strengths: "We have great team leaders that are very positive and encouraging to our new and younger runners.''
Concerns: "We have a lot of young athletes that have never ran cross country before, but I, as head coach, have full faith in the new runners.''
Overall outlook: "As stated before, we have a strong and level-headed group of upperclassmen that are a huge help with the younger kids. I think this strength and the number of athletes we have out this year will help our season to run smoothly.''
Assistant coach: Stewart Crocker
Junior high coach: Lucas Miller
Penn Cambria
Coach: Kristin Talko, second year
Career record: 3-7
Last year's record: 3-7
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Grace Sheehan. Junior--Miley Hoover. Sophomore--Addasyn Berkheimer.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Senior--Andrea Chislow. Sophomore--Belle Eckenrode. Freshman--Sydnee Plummer.
Strengths: "Our returning letterwinners.''
Concerns: "Our numbers.''
Overall outlook: "We look for all athletes to continue to improve.''
Assistant coaches: Todd Niebauer, Lois Smith
Junior high coaches: Kristin Talko, Todd Niebauer, Lois Smith
Portage
Coach: Bob Newlin, third year
Career record: 10-14
Last year's record: 8-5
Conference: Heritage Conference
Returning starters: Junior--Cassie Burkett. Sophomores--Brynn Burkett, Lily Haney, Jada Irvin, Kennedy Myers, Kendall Stancovich.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshmen--Jemma Lidwell, Eden Myers, Avery Smith, Josephine White.
Strengths: "The team is a young but experienced group. They have worked hard in their offseason and will be ready to peak at the end of the season.''
Concerns: "Overcoming the graduation of our leadership. The team needs to realize the potential they have and go 'all in' this year.''
Overall outlook: "We are optimistic the team will gel quickly and be very competitive each week.''
Assistant coaches: Amy Burkett, Lance Hudak
Tyrone
Coach: Tammy Wills, 23rd year
Last year's record: 1-9
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Sophia Cower. Junior--Grace Coral. Sophomores--Skyla Hart, Sophria Williams, Sophia Witkamp.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshmen--Lillian Ammerman, Laney Coral, Kiana Gardner, Rachel Pedersen, Sophia Raneri.
Strengths: "The number of returning runners we have and the addition of the new girls we have moving up from our junior high team.''
Concerns: "Our numbers.''
Overall outlook: "Looking forward to what will hopefully be a challenging but successful season.''
Assistant coach: Randy Wilson
Junior high coaches: Tammy Wills, Randy Wilson
Williamsburg
Coach: April Wheland, fifth year
Conference: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Junior--Macy Norris. Sophomore--Adilyn Isenberg.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshman--Ava Dixon.
Strengths: "Positive attitudes, willingness to train in any conditions and impressive sportsmanship.''
Concerns: "Small roster size.''
Overall outlook: "I am confident that this group of runners will step up and push each other to reach their personal best. The varsity runners are also outstanding role models and work with the junior high runners to fuel their love of the sport.''
Assistant coaches: Rachel Biddle, Loc O
Junior high coaches: April Wheland, Rachel Biddle