Cross Country

Three area cross country runners return for another shot at PIAA medals

2026 High school girls cross country

Three PIAA medalists from 2025 highlight the returnees for the Altoona Mirror's core coverage area high school girls cross country teams.

Ashlyn Noce, a three-time Mirror first-team all-star, is back for her senior year after finishing eighth at the PIAA meet last season. Joining her will be fellow Altoona first-teamer Emma Etters.

Central Cambria's Paige Alexander also earned a medal last year with a 20th-place finish at states. This was after she led the Lady Red Devils to yet another District 6 team championship.

Of course, Alexander didn't do that alone.

She had help from fellow Mirror first-teamers Alyson Sheehan and Delaney Snyder.

Williamsburg will also bring back a first-team Mirror all-star in Ava Dixon, who has done very well in the District 6 Class 1A race the past two seasons. Last year, Dixon finished 17th at the PIAA race to earn a medal.

Altoona

Coach: Tabitha Quinn, 26th year

Career record: 131-76

Last year's record: 3-1

Conference: Independent

Returning starters: Seniors--Brionna Adams, Abigail Harkins, Lana Luke, Ashlyn Noce. Sophomores--Emma Etters, Evangeline Broadrick

Other returning runners: Seniors--Riley Ferguson, Ryanne Resig. Sophomore--Kaelynn Murtiff

Newcomers: Freshmen--Michaela Harrington, Cloe Havlin, Tiffany Trosky, Grace Walstrom

Strengths: "Our team has six of the returning varsity runners with returning two PIAA qualifiers -- Ashlyn, eighth place all-state and Emma (as a freshman 125th). Emma's quiet racing following Ashlyn's lead has growing achievements. Our overall numbers are small but they react, are coachable, and optimistic. With more depth on the team our displacers are moving closer into a pack."

Concerns: "Our split in our 1-5 will have a bit of a compression issue. Our No. 2 and No. 3 runners are going to have to bridge the gap while the team works to keep the pack through No. 7. The season will be compact at times, where recovery will be important."

Overall outlook: "The senior leadership is a dominant force with Ashlyn as an exceptional front runner and with Emma following her lead. We know our seniors' experience has raw potential to be competitive with the strong challenging racing fields. Our younger runners are providing crucial depth and momentum, with learned patience and experience running alongside the senior leadership."

Assistant coach: Haden Boutiller

Junior high coaches: Rosalie DiPaola, Leah Trocchio

Bellwood-Antis

Coach: Jennifer Soisson, third year

Career record: 18-9

Last year's record: 10-6

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Seniors--Karley Dickinson, Peyton Hammond, Julie Kraft, Blake Pennington. Junior--Ava Franks. Sophomore--Sara Kraft

Other returning runners: Senior--Jayden Maines. Juniors--Maci Chronister, Sophia Fatzinger, Isabella Sloey

Newcomers: Senior--Maya Powers. Sophomore--Addison Wagner. Freshman--Maya Soisson

Strengths: "We have strong leadership in our returning runners. The team has a lot of talent with depth, experience and consistency."

Concerns: "The low numbers of our current underclassmen, but we will continue to develop the junior high program."

Overall outlook: "We are excited to work with this hardworking group of girls. The LHAC has outstanding runners, and the girls enjoy competing with them."

Assistant coaches: Naomi Pennington, Bradley Barroner, Jason Helsel, Rhonda Mills

Bishop Carroll

Coach: Mike Bradley, sixth year

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Senior--Ava Pablic. Sophomore--Abbey Hines

Newcomer: Freshman--Ruthie Golden

Strengths: "Our girls are great runners with great character."

Concerns: "Numbers. We will not have enough runners to score as a team."

Overall outlook: "Even though the team is small, the runners have set big goals for themselves, and I look forward to what they will accomplish this season."

Assistant coach: Jessica Smith

Cambria Heights

Coach: John Kuskoski, 34th year

Career record: 253-199

Last year's record: 6-5

Conference: Heritage Conference

Returning starters: Senior--Megan Eckenrode. Juniors--Sierra Hoover, Rylee Lane

Other returning runners: None

Newcomers: Freshmen--Ella Crowell, Claire Lechene

Strengths: "This is a tight-knit group of girls with a strong team spirit. I have great confidence in the leadership that captain Megan Eckenrode exhibits. The same goes for vice-captain Sierra Hoover, who qualified for states last year."

Concerns: "Like last year, we are faced with making it through the season with just five girls. If we focus on strength, endurance and durability, these girls will stay healthy and they'll be fine."

Overall outlook: "I really think these girls could improve on last year's record of 6-5 if they stay strong both mentally and physically."

Assistant coaches: Art "Buzz" Deckard, Dana Bender, Andrew Owens, Tammy Nagel

Junior high coaches: Art "Buzz" Deckard, Dana Bender, Andrew Owens, Tammy Nagel

Central

Coach: Joe Bilka, sixth year at Central, 26th year overall

Last year's record: 4-6

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starter: Senior--Reese Miller. Sophomores--Makayla Oliveri, Nora Kuster, Bayley Moushlian

Strengths: "All the runners from last season are returning, and we are adding two new runners which will make it a lot more interesting of a season."

Overall outlook: "We will compete, and we expect to do well. We want to run faster than last year and improve on times."

Assistant coach: John Fitzpatrick

Central Cambria

Coach: Randy Wilson, 27th year

Career record: 302-5

Last year's record: 17-0, 13-0 in LHAC

Returning starters: Seniors--Katie George, Kylee Krumenacker. Juniors--Paige Alexander, Leah Bowersox, Makenzie Hite, Ruth Remillard, Alyson Sheehan. Sophomores--Abby Claar, Abby Snyder, Delaney Snyder, Bella Templeton

Newcomers: Freshmen--Alyssa Hite, Marisa Patrick, Emerson Rakar, Jillian Wise

Strengths: "We have a great combination of experienced runners and talented young athletes who have been committed to putting in the work all summer. This group genuinely enjoys training together, supports one another and has developed a strong team chemistry. They take pride in representing Central Cambria and are motivated to continue the tradition of success built by the runners who came before them."

Concerns: "Replacing the experience and accomplishments of last year's graduating class will certainly be our biggest challenge. While we have a talented group returning, many of our younger runners will be asked to step into larger roles much sooner than expected. If everyone continues to improve and embraces their role, we'll continue to grow as the season progresses."

Overall outlook: "Our goal is to be competitive for both the LHAC and District 6 2A championships. The competition is always strong, so it will take consistent training, staying healthy, and working together as a pack throughout the season. This team has shown a tremendous commitment during the offseason, and we're excited to see how much they can accomplish by the end of the year."

Assistant coaches: Bryce Descavish, Jeff Dick, Tyler Gibson, Tim Miller, Amy O'Donnell

Hollidaysburg

Coach: Travis Singer, 13th year

Career record: 66-50

Last year's record: 11-2

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Seniors--Katie Etters, Addison Smith, Josie Watt. Juniors--Adalai Carney, Sophie Fiore. Sophomores--Anna Hileman, Emily Zenobia

Other returning runners: Junior--Alexis Barger. Sophomores--Paige Rutter, Ruth Stephens, Devanie O'Gorman

Newcomers: Sophomores--Hannah Donlan, Lillian Heaton. Freshmen--Audrey Blescia, Ella Diaz, Stuti Patel, Julia Van Kleunen, Nadia Wolf, Anna Zelem

Strengths: "We're returning an incredible amount of experience to our varsity seven, and adding some potentially strong newcomers to the mix. Our leaders have seen it all, faced a lot of adversity and overcome it; the underclassmen are eager to match and exceed their standard."

Concerns: "As always, we need to stay healthy throughout the long season. This is the largest girls team that we've had in quite some time, but even so, with that many new faces, the learning curve will have to be steep as we start our season against some very strong competition."

Overall outlook: "In a region absolutely loaded with talent and experience, we hope to compete with the best in our league and our district. This team has come together well throughout the offseason and is excited about representing Hollidaysburg throughout regular season and postseason competitions."

Assistant coaches: Elaine Baney, Matt Manfred, Nicole Stouffer

Junior high coach: Cassie Kachur

Juniata Valley

Coach: Ruthie Hess, first year

Career record: 0-0

Last year's record: 5-3

Conference: Inter-County Conference

Returning starters: Senior--Lilly Sunderland. Sophomore--Alayna Hutton.

Newcomer: Freshman--Maggie Barton

Strengths: "Leading the way for Juniata Valley is senior Lilly Sunderland, whose experience and leadership will be especially important for the young squad. Sophomore Alayna Hutton and freshman Maggie Barton also will help form the core of a team that we hope will continue to develop throughout the season. Our younger runners are already putting the work into building for the future."

Concerns: "While the team has plenty of potential, numbers remain a concern heading into the season. With a smaller roster, each runner will play an important role as the Hornets compete throughout the year."

Overall outlook: "The overall outlook is to build fitness, improve from meet to meet and take advantage of the lessons that come with competing in cross country. The Hornets will look to make progress throughout the season while developing a foundation for the future. With Sunderland providing veteran leadership and a young group of runners gaining experience, Juniata Valley hopes to make the most of every opportunity on the course."

Assistant coaches: Kelly Richner, Liz Radabaugh

Northern Bedford

Coach: Nicole Zimmerman, second year

Conference: Inter-County Conference

Returning starters: Sophomores--Lily Miller, Carson Miller

Other returning runners: None

Newcomers: Freshmen--Leah Steele, Charlotte Snyder

Strengths: "A team that is young and building, with lots of motivation. Some very strong girls who love the challenge and breaking goals."

Concerns: "Not having enough to make a team. These girls work hard, and to use a ghost runner in some sectionals is a bit disheartening to the girls."

Overall outlook: "We are excited and looking forward to seeing how hard work pays off this season. Very excited to start building more of a team dynamic, now that we can almost make a full team."

Assistant coach: Ian Zimmerman (volunteer)

Junior high coach: Nicole Zimmerman

Penn Cambria

Coach: Kristin Talko, fourth year

Career record: 7-22

Last year's record: 3-7

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Juniors--Sydnee Plummer, Raina Chislow, Anna Schilling. Sophomore--Laila Milavec

Newcomer: Freshman--Bryn Conrad

Strengths: "Our varsity runners have all run with us before. They all have their own strengths that will drive our junior high runners."

Concerns: "Our numbers continue to be our biggest obstacle. Our challenge will be all our runners being able to compete for scoring opportunities."

Overall outlook: "The runners need to set their own goal times for the season, and we look for all athletes to continue to improve."

Assistant coach: Lois Smith

Portage

Coach: Bob Newlin, fifth year

Career record: 24-30

Last year's record: 9-8

Conference: Heritage Conference

Returning starters: Seniors--Brynn Burkett, Lily Haney, Jada Irvin, Kennedy Myers, Kendall Stancovich. Junior--Josephine White. Sophomores--Addyson Burkett, Reese Pinizzotto, Anneka Gribbin

Newcomers: Freshman--Harper Myers

Strengths: "Our greatest strength heading into the new season is the combination of strong senior leadership and the enthusiasm of our younger athletes. Our seniors bring valuable experience, consistency and a strong understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level, while our younger runners bring energy, excitement and a willingness to learn. That balance has created a positive team atmosphere and has pushed everyone to work harder and support one another."

Concerns: "Remaining healthy throughout the season is one of our biggest priorities. With a demanding schedule and the intensity of training, we need to make sure our runners are taking care of themselves, recovering properly and communicating with the coaching staff."

Overall outlook: "We know the competition is tough every week, but we're working hard to continue getting stronger as a team. Our veteran leaders have done a great job setting the standard through their experience, consistency and work ethic, and the younger runners are continuing to grow and gain confidence. As we move deeper into the season, we'll look to build on that progress, stay healthy and continue pushing one another in practice and competition. If we can keep improving and racing with confidence, we'll be ready to make a strong final push heading into the championships."

Assistant coaches: Amy Burkett, Lance Hudak (volunteer)

Junior high coaches: Bob Newlin, Amy Burkett, Lance Hudak (volunteer)

Tyrone

Coach: Tammy Wills, 26th year

Last year's record: 4-9

Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Seniors--Skyla Hart, Sophia Witkamp. Juniors--Lillian Ammerman, Laney Corl, Kiana Gardner, Sophia Raneri, Rachel Peterson. Sophomores--Hallie Troutman, Ella Savino, Addison Davis

Newcomers: Freshmen--Sage Harbst, Aubree Gurekovich, Harmony Dickson, Madison Burkirk, Abrey Balchin, Allie Desch

Strengths: "Numbers-wise, this is the largest girls varsity team that we have had in many years. We also have a great deal of talent among our returning runners and with the addition of our freshmen coming up."

Concerns: "Keeping everybody healthy and injury free."

Overall outlook: "Looking forward to a successful and exciting season. I believe this girls team is going to be a pleasant surprise."

Assistant coaches: Randy Wilson, Zach Kolher (volunteer)

Williamsburg

Coach: April Wheland, seventh year

Last year's record: 0-10

Conference: Inter-County Conference

Returning starters: Senior--Adilyn Isenberg. Junior--Ava Dixon. Sophomores--Emma Biddle, Emma Stone

Newcomers: Freshmen--Aria Frye, Avril Isenberg

Strengths: "Positive attitudes, stellar sportsmanship and dedication to the sport."

Concerns: "Unexpected injuries are always a concern."

Overall outlook: "The 'very close knit' dynamic of the team is their greatest power to hold each other accountable and offer genuine support."

Assistant coaches: Rachel Biddle, Loc O