"We are happy overall with our performace." said Rocky Grove coach Josh Beightol in a text message shortly after the race as he stood in line with his team to get well deserved milkshakes. "We set a goal of all running personal best for the course and we achieved that."
He said the fast course in Hershey was much different than the recent meets the team has raced.
But he also acknowledged that his young team will be back hungry again next year "We will correct and hopefully come back stronger next season with even more experience. Our 4 seniors led this group off the course and I’m so proud of the young men they have grown to be."
"We knew when we came down here she was probably a top 40, maybe 45 runner," Said coach Bill Hetrick. "For her to medal today was phenomenal, she ran the race of her life. I'm very proud."
Other area Class A boys of note:
Junior Colson Jenkins of Lakeview medaled with a 14th place finish. Other area runners in Class A included the senior pair of Hunter Spaid (27) and Corbin Lehner (100) of Cambridge Springs; sophomore Kyler Woolstrum (30) and junior Chase Miller (38) of Cochranton; senior Riley Runyon (67), of Jamestown; freshman Lincoln Kier (102) of Maplewood; and junior Sam Hetrick of Saegertown, (110).
In AA boy’s action, Conneaut Area didn't have the meet they hoped for. The District 10 runners up placed 15th in a field of 19 teams.
In the team competition, Cranberry’s young girls squad came in seventh out of 23. Karleigh Shaffer, freshman, was the team’s top runner at 9th in team scoring. Freshman Kelsey Hanna (25), sophomore Jordan Montgomery (33), freshman Kayla Hanna (40), sophomore Gabi Vogan (109), junior Ellabav Perry (121), and senior Alexa Boley (127).
The Lakeview girls team finished 13th.
"Every year this time of the year isalways the hardest as I turn them loose for one last time. We return 4 good runners for next season and I look forward to seeing who all steps up and moves the peg even higher in the long list of great Rocky grove cross country history."