HS CROSS COUNTRY: McCormack, Franklin win Lackawanna Commissioners Invitational races
Sep. 25—SCRANTON — With a pair of big races looming next week, the 28th Lackawanna County Commissioners Cross Country Invitational proved the perfect tune-up for Brian McCormack.
The Scranton junior won the boys varsity race Saturday, covering the 3.11-mile course at McDade Park in 16 minutes, 28.1 seconds.
Sophomore Ethan Williams of Valley View was second, helping the Cougars edge Scranton for the team title, 68-71.
North Pocono senior Emily Franklin won the varsity girls race in 19:28.1. The Lady Trojans had five of the top 20 finishers to claim the team title with 47 points over Valley View, which had 52 points.
McCormack led from the start, which is what he wanted to do.
"I knew I had to get out fast and keep the lead throughout," McCormack said. "I've got a big race on Friday that I'm looking forward to, so I didn't want to overkill myself. I definitely came into this race looking to win and prepare myself for that."
Friday's race is the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University. But before that, on Wednesday, McCormack and his teammates — who are undefeated thus far in the Lackawanna League — square off against fellow unbeaten Abington Heights, North Pocono and Valley View.
"It's always a confidence booster to win big races like this and make you feel better about your season," McCormack said. "Racing against the Abington cluster is going to be big. We're undefeated, they're undefeated and we definitely would like to come out on top in that one."
Meanwhile, Williams tried to keep up with McCormack, but the Scranton runner quickly pulled away.
"I knew he'd take it out hard," said Williams, who finished in 16:41.7. "I stayed with him for the first half-mile or so, but he got too far away. I tried to get back into it, I like competing and trying to catch people. But he was too far ahead, so I just kept pushing myself to see what I could do. I knew it was me against the clock for second.
"I race him again Wednesday at Abington. I'm looking forward to it."
Williams' teammate Jacob Seamans placed ninth. Matthew Mazzoni was 13th, Jason Basalyga 21st and Anthony Mauro 29th, enabling Valley View to capture the team title over Scranton, which put its first five runners in the top 26.
"We've all been pushing ourselves and working hard in practice," Williams said. "It's paying off. I'm proud of that."
In the varsity girls race, Franklin was in third place for the first 1.5 miles before making her move and passing Wallenpaupack's Darby Brennan for second, then overtaking Forest City's Kate Korty for the lead.
"On the back stretch on the big hill, I picked up my pace a little," Franklin said. "I just kept that until the end.
"This is a big deal for me. It's my last invitational as a senior, so I'm really glad I could end it on a high note. It's a pretty good confidence boost. I haven't had a great race yet for the season, so I think this will set me up for some pretty good races down the line and hopefully into districts."
Korty won the varsity race here last year and the junior high girls race two years ago. She was not too disappointed at placing second Saturday in 20:08.1, considering she is coming off a recent illness.
"I was tired from the start," Korty said. "It was difficult to run today. I just tried to hang in the top three. Getting over a sickness, I'm happy with how I placed."
Added Franklin: "She (Korty) is so amazing, a great competitor and always super nice. I was really excited to race against her. I think we both had a great race today."
Behind Franklin, teammate Kaitlyn Kravitz finished ninth, Molly Jennings 14th, Lauren Posluszny 19th and Gwen Powell 20th to give North Pocono the team title.
"We all had massive improvements today, so all around it was a good day for North Pocono," Franklin said. "It will be interesting to see how we can place against a strong team like Abington (on Wednesday). Our team works together and we all support each other. Hopefully we can keep the momentum from today moving forward into next week."
Henry Decker of Lakeland won the junior high boys race in 10:20.9 on the 1.8-mile course. Wallenpaupack's Chase Predmore was second, helping the Buckhorns capture the team title with 75 points.
Marley Gilboy from Abington Heights won the junior high girls race in 11:36.2. Danville had the next two finishers and claimed the team title over Valley View, 59-67.
28th Lackawanna County Commissioners Invitational results
28TH LACKAWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INVITATIONAL
VARSITY GIRLS
Team scores: North Pocono 47; Valley View 52; Scranton 77; Lakeland 82; Pittston Area 110; Old Forge 126
Top 25 individuals: Emily Franklin (NP) 19:28.1 on 3.11-mile course; Kate Korty (FC) 20:08.1; Emily Black (LAK) 20:27.3; Darby Brennan (WAL) 20:30.1; Riley Mackrell (VV) 20:39.8; Gianna Godino (VV) 20:45.9; Morgan Anderson (WAL) 20:50.9; Kaitlyn Kravitz (NP) 20:52.7; Olivia Scalese (PA) 21:11.3; Morgan Lutz (LAK) 21:31.4; Elizabeth Higgins (WAL) 21:34.8; Chelsea Huegel (SCR) 21:56.1; Grace Campbell (SCR) 22:05.9; Molly Jennings (NP) 22:19.3; Jen Villanueva (SCR) 22:20.5; Chloe Stafursky (VV) 22:27.9; Molly Fetchko (PA) 22:31.4; Grace Miller (VV) 22:35.1; Lauren Posluszny (NP) 22:41.9; Gwen Powell (NP) 22:47.4; Camryn Roche (WSCR) 23:04.5; Madison Miller (LAK) 23:12.4; Mary Marianelli (OF) 23:19.5; Sarah Naylor (VV) 23:19.7; Della Noon (VV) 23:31.8.
VARSITY BOYS
Team scores: Valley View 68; Scranton 71; North Pocono 87; Wallenpaupack 96; Pittston Area 115; Mountain View 150; Lakeland 151; West Scranton 175; Old Forge 230; Riverside 257
Top 25 finishers: Brian McCormack (SCR) 16:28.1 on 3.11-mile course; Ethan Williams (VV) 16:41.7; Preston Klem (PA) 16:52.4; Aidan Graff (SCR) 16:59.9; Aiden Janowicz (WAL) 17:12.3; Noah Haines (NP) 17:17.7; Thomas Rohan (LAK) 17:22.8; Dylan Kopa (LAK) 17:30.8; Jacob Seamans (VV) 17:41.9; Hamza Mirza (AH) 17:50.4; Jakob Mead (PA) 17:53.1; Aiden Clarke (NP) 18:12.8; Matthew Mazzoni (VV) 18:17.0; Jacob Covage (WSCR) 18:20.1; Colin Kravitz (NP) 18:24.8; Caden Boettger (PA) 18:26.8; Michael Soskil (WAL) 18:30.9; Derek Burckes (WAL) 18:33.7; Luke Magnotta (NP) 18:34.1; Kenny Lynch (AH) 18:34.2; Jason Basalyga (VV) 18:46.0; Sean Larkin (MTV) 18:49.0; JT Healey (AH) 19:00.8; Ryan Newcomb (SCR) 19:07.2; Josh Atonal (SCR) 19:12.3.
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS
Team scores: Danville 59; Valley View 67; Abington Heights 79; Crestwood 111; Wallenpaupack 124; Elk Lake 169; Mid Valley 221; Mountain View 225; North Pocono 253; Scranton 265; Pittston Area 277; Old Forge 284; Holy Redeemer 343
Top 25 individuals: Marley Gilboy (AH) 11:36.2 on 1.8-mile course; Janie Cotner (DAN) 11:36.5; Odin Ryer (DAN) 11:49.6; Gwennyth Mazur (MV) 11:53.6; Kelcie Fillebrown (WAL) 11:54.9; Morgan Kresge (AH) 11:59.3; Isabella Dessoye (PA) 12:07.0; June Brown (WAL) 12:09.4; Eva Kaszuba (VV) 12:11.5; Cora Castellani (VV) 12:16.2; Juliet Steckley (DAN) 12:18.7; Sadie Loftus (VV) 12:19.8; Alyssa Leicht (CRE) 12:31.7; Willow Guydish (CRE) 12:44.7; Kennedy Schimelfenig (RIV) 12:47.5; Ava Fenton (VV) 12:49.1; Theodora Whitehouse (WAL) 12:59.1; Ella Schofield (AH) 13:09.6; Charli Bartholomew (DAN) 13:13.5; Kendyl Weisgold (EL) 13:14.0; Audrey Anderson (MTV) 13:14.8; Makenna Adams (VV) 13:17.2; Alexa Godino (VV) 13:22.2; Riley McColligan (AH) 13:23.6; Miriam Valentine (HC) 13:23.9.
JUNIOR HIGH BOYS
Team scores: Wallenpaupack 75; Abington Heights 98; Riverside 139; Lakeland 141; Holy Cross 164*; Crestwood 164; Valley View 190; North Pocono 210; West Scranton 217; Elk Lake 227; Mid Valley 242; Scranton 262; Holy Redeemer 281; Danville 332; Old Forge 394
*-6th runner tiebreaker
Top 25 individuals: Henry Decker (LAK) 10:20.9 on 1.8 mile course; Chase Predmore (WAL) 10:55.3; Gavin Rindock (CRE) 11:05.9; Sean McGary (WAL) 11:06.3; Joshua Cackowski (HR) 11:06.9; Elias Stabinski (HC) 11:17.7; Merrick Young (NP) 11:19.0; Finn Davey (LAK) 11:21.3; Parker Upright (EL) 11:23.2; Collin Rafferty (SCR) 11:24.0; Jack Shoemaker (AH) 11:24.7; Liam Moran (AH) 11:26.5; Jaxson Draus (DAN) 11:31.7; Thomas Gavin (HC) 11:36.2; Jack Davies (RIV) 11:41.0; Mario Marsala (AH) 11:44.0; Antonio Castro (WSCR) 11:44.7; Blake Theobald (WAL) 11:44.8; Christopher Tufaro (WAL) 11:45.5; Calvin Gumbs-Jacobs (LAK) 11:47.0; Reeve Owen (MV) 11:47.4; Andrew Connor (RIV) 11:49.3; Sam Partington (CRE) 11:49.9; Colby Shiffer (VV) 11:50.8; Billy Byrne (RIV) 11:56.5.
PIAA Foundation
At Hershey, Riverside senior Lacey Danilovitz was the highest-finishing local runner at the PIAA Foundation Invitational, taking third out of 233 runners in Class 2A girls in 19:23 on the Hershey Parkview course.
Brownsville senior Jolena Quarzo, last year's state runner-up in Class 2A girls and a North Carolina State commit, won in 18:38. Montour senior Harley Kletz was second in 18:58.
Danilovitz's freshman teammate Kiley Williams finished 56th in 21:44. Mid Valley sophomore Annika Von Ahnen was 59th in 21:53.
Abington Heights freshman Anna Pucilowski was 16th out of 243 runners in Class 3A girls in 19:47, helping the Lady Comets place 13th out of 36 teams with 385 points. Sophomore Reese Morgan (83rd, 21:24), junior Emma Horsley (88th, 21:27), senior Maia Arcangelo (102nd, 22:00) and junior Hailey Hirtz (105th, 22:03) rounded out the top five for Abington Heights.
Pine-Richland senior Natalie McLean won the 3A girls race in 18:25.
Mountain View junior Carissa Flynn finished seventh out of 171 runners in Class 1A girls in 21:15.8. Junior Grace Neubert from Elk County Catholic won in 19:58.6.
Freshman Corinne Flynn was 29th for Mountain View in 22:46.1, helping the Lady Eagles take ninth out of 19 teams with 257 points.
Holy Cross sophomore Julie Walsh finished 19th in 22:11.1 and Elk Lake junior Sydney Upright finished 46th in 23:27.6.
Elk Lake freshman Kendel Jones placed eighth out of 235 runners in Class 1A boys in 17:22. Coudersport junior Kevin Sherry won in 16:36. Senior Dylan Way was 44th (18:26) and freshman Cody Adams 54th (18:44) to help the Warriors wind up 11th out of 32 teams with 327 points.
Senior Teddy Novak of Holy Cross was 47th in 18:33, helping the Crusaders finish 14th in the team standings with 407 points.
In Class 2A boys, Riverside junior Daniel Danilovitz was 31st out of 287 runners in 17:33. Dunmore sophomore Tommy Clark was 34th in 17:38 and Mid Valley freshman Gabe Pacyna 39th in 17:46. Danville junior Rory Lieberman won in 15:48.
Abington Heights placed 20th out of 34 teams in Class 3A boys with 541 points. Junior Sean Rooney was the top finisher for the Comets in 61st out of 233 runners in 18:04. Hatboro-Horsham senior Brian DiCola won in 15:52.
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