Foxes Gear Up for Tri-State Challenge
With both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams racing to section titles – and senior Michael Costello leading the way as the boys individual WPIAL 3A Section 4 champion – the Foxes are heading into the postseason with momentum.
For the boys, the victory marked their seventh consecutive undefeated section title, while the girls earned the honor, also undefeated, for the second time in three years.
Boys Stay Focused
At the section meet, the boys dominated the field, claiming three of the top four spots. Michael led the way with his first-place finish, followed by junior Nolan Gwin and freshman Asher Eckel in third and fourth place. Juniors Victor White and Harrison Parker, as well as freshman Emmett Regentin, all placed among the top 13 runners, and that was without one of the Foxes other top runners, who sat out that day.
“Michael ran a tough, smart race and, while it was a ‘barnburner’ at the end, Michael held on with a great kick,” coach Tom Moul says. “He’s been a magnificent leader and a solid role model with his words and through his example.”
The coach sees promise in the next generation of Foxes distance runners.
“Asher has the potential of some of our great runners in the past,” says coach Moul. “There’s no doubt about that. He loves the sport. In middle school, he was their top guy, and this year has been running the mileage of a sophomore.”
The coach notes that Nolan is also running well and is hungry for success.
“Mike, Asher, and Nolan need to establish that they can be in the top 20 if they want to get a shot at a WPIAL medal or go to states,” he adds.
Girls Show Confidence and Consistency
On the girls side, success is coming from a close-knit group that excelled together in middle school, now reinforced and supported by the experience of junior Ceci Ressler.
“They’ve really been progressing, and they have a confidence about them that’s kind of unusual for such a young group,” coach Moul says. “They are used to winning and bring positive attitudes to the team.”
The coach points to one of their greatest strengths: an extremely close pack time.
“There’s actually a name for it,” coach Moul says. “It’s called a close spread, which means the spread time between the first and fifth runners’ finishes is very close. It’s helpful when you are racing as a team in a hard race to have your teammates running right with you.
“I haven’t ever seen it in any of our teams before. It’s a good thing. Even though our top runner might not place first or second, the girls are finishing one after the other to accumulate points. That’s how we won the section and the Kiski Invitational. I keep telling them that we’ve got a great pack, but now they need to move it up to higher finishes for the Tri-State Track Coaches Association (TSTCA) Cross Country Championships, and then the following week for WPIALs.”
That pack mentality led to six Foxes finishes in the top 10: freshman Claire LoIudice (3rd); sophomore Bridget Hemingray (5th); Ceci (6th); freshman Sydney Kimmons (7th); freshman Maeve Sherry (8th); and sophomore Ella Shevchuk (9th).
“Another thing I like about this group is that they have all switched places throughout the year,” states coach Moul. “That’s the sign of good consistency and a cohesive team.”
Eyes on Tri-States and Beyond
The TSTCA championships at White Oak Park on October 16 will serve as a dry run and preview for the WPIAL Class 3A championships, which will take place the following week. They are not technically considered a postseason meet, but they are the final test of the regular season and draw a large field of contestants from many parts of the state.
“It’s good practice for the kids to get out there and experience the course again,” says coach Moul, “especially considering there are a good number of young athletes who will be running the meets for the first time.”
Teams can enter 12 athletes for Tri-States, but only seven racers advance to WPIALs.
“We’ve been training as a team since June, so we have plenty of miles under our belts,” says Nolan. “As the season has progressed, we’ve made major strides as a team. Placing in the top three at the WPIAL meet would qualify us for the state meet.”
The coach says one breakthrough this season with the girls has come from Bridget. “She’s been huge for us and continues to grow.”
Bridget gained experience at Tri-States last year, but will make her WPIAL championship this season.
“I hope our team can stick together on the course to push each other,” she says. “We need to take the Tri-State meet seriously and try our best to get a good sense of where we could be at WPIALs. I think our team has gotten better at pacing, especially because there are a lot of freshmen on the team who might be new to running the 5K.”
For Claire, the transition to high school racing was a significant adjustment, but she has adapted well.
“At practice and meets, I usually pace with my freshmen teammates,” says Claire, who finished third at the section championships. We have always encouraged each other to get better, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Ceci and the other returning varsity runners have also really helped me adjust to the pace of races and have helped prepare me for the intensity of high school running,” she says.
While many of the younger runners will be treading new ground in the weeks ahead, they hope their camaraderie, momentum, and steady leadership will lead to more success in the postseason.