LebCo Girls Cross Country Season Outlook: 2024

Our season outlook for LebCo Girls Cross Country showcases all six teams, each comprising skilled athletes aiming to surpass their performance from last season, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

The season kicks off officially on Tuesday, with all of LebCo’s teams participating in the LVC Dutchmen Invitational at Union Canal Park on Saturday morning. The season will conclude on November 2nd with the PIAA State Championships in Hershey.

Let’s take a look at all six LebCo teams.

Boys Cross Country Outlook

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   Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Head Coach: Caitlin Heller – 6th season

Key Returners: Colbey Brown (Sr.), Nadia Lezon (Sr.), Emilie Stefanchik (Sr.), Anna Lezon (Jr.), Madi Long (Jr.), Mackenzie Stellmach (Jr.), Leah Tshudy (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Caitlin Shay (Jr.), Emily Shearer (So.), Lucy Stellmach (Fr.), Paige Stoltz (Fr.)

Key Losses: Megan Brophy (Shenandoah University), Emily Maag

Outlook: This program has had its share of success in recent years, winning back-to-back District 3 Championships in 2021 and 2022 before racing to a 3rd place finish last year. While they have lost some key veterans from those teams, the Dutchmen still return a talented group that will be headlined by junior Mackenzie Stellmach, who finished 6th at Districts last season. In addition, Nadia Lezon, Emilie Stefanchik, Anna Lezon, Madi Long, and Leah Tshudy all have experience running at States, with seniors Lezon and Stefanchik lining up at Hershey each of the last three years. The group once again has high expectations that they have set for themselves and have put in the training over the summer in order to meet those standards. As a result, you can expect them to come back stronger than a nineties trend as they take on the new season.

Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Head Coach: Brandon Risser – 20th season

Key Returners: Margaret Cuthie (Sr), Nora Cuthie (Sr), Audrey Fugate (Sr), Samantha Yorty (Sr), Ellie Schneider (Jr.), Vivian Doster (So)

Key Newcomers: Emerson Miller (Fr.), Layla Herbein (Fr.), Clara Schneider (Fr)

Key Losses: Lizzie Lowe (Vasser College),Maggie Chernich, Maddie Lowe

Outlook: After finishing 5th at the Lancaster Lebanon League Meet and 13th at Districts in 2023, the Falcons graduated three key seniors who had impressive high school careers. They return in 2024 with another strong group of senior leaders who will be up for the task of another great season of racing. In addition to the seniors, Cedar Crest will be led by junior Eliana Schneider, a two-time State Qualifier who has consistently proven herself among Central Pennsylvania’s best athletes. Coach Risser will also welcome a solid group of freshmen to the varsity team, adding talent and depth as they push the limits in 2024.

 ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Head Coach: Chuck Gerberich – 16th season

Key Returners:  Shawna Donough (Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Paityn Newswanger (Fr.), Lizze Croft (Fr.)

Key Losses: Desaray Nolt

Outlook: There is no getting around the fact that ELCO will have a roster that is fairly inexperienced. The lone senior, Shawna Donough, will be joined by five teammates, all of whom are freshmen and sophomores. That said, Donough is one who leads by example and will work to improve upon her marks from last season. With Paityn Newswanger and Lizze Croft showing early promise, there is some up and coming talent who will look to put up good times this year.

 Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Head Coach: Tom Pearson – 10th season

Key Returners: Ella Whalen (Jr.)

Outlook: There have been few times in recent history where Lebanon has had a chance of scoring as a team. Only twice since 2007 have the Cedars crossed five girls at the Lancaster League Meet. This season, Coach Pearson hopes it will become the 3rd time, as he has added a group of sophomores who have shown a high level of support and encouragement for one another through summer training. The Cedars also return junior Ella Whalen, who has progressed each year despite running on her own most of the time over the last two seasons. Whalen will now be surrounded by teammates who are all pushing each other to do their best. As long as everyone stays healthy, this could be an exciting year for Lebanon.

Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Head Coach: Tricia Schafebook – 16th season (non-consecutive)

Key Returners: Jade Kasprowicz (Sr.), Clarissa Schamber (Jr.), Alexis Schreckengost (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Mac Miller (Jr.), Saoirse Phillips (Jr.), Roxette Lauderman (So.), Olivia Matthews (So.), Zoey Bouchard (Fr.), Gabby Citino (Fr.)

Key Losses: Layna Horner

Outlook: Last season, Northern Lebanon entered a rebuild after graduating eight seniors in 2022. The new group was small but showed improvement throughout the season. They return several faces from last year and will be led by senior Jade Kasprowicz and junior Clarissa Schamber. Additionally, a large group of newcomers will afford them the five team members necessary to score as a team. Those out for their first year on the team include two key members of the Lady Viking Basketball team, Mac Miller and Saoirse Phillips, whose competitive nature will be a major advantage while racing. Look for this team to surprise some people this season.

Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Head Coach: Dave Hollen – 10th season

Key Returners:  Ceci Cole (Sr.), Avery Rohrer (Sr.), Ellie Schaffer (Sr.), Sarah Sipe (Sr.), Andrea Cooper (Jr.), Helena Baker (So.), Amber McCurdy (Fr.), Leah Senft (So.)

Key Newcomers: Laura Reese (Fr.)

Key Losses: Abby Berarducci

Outlook: Twenty-four girls make up the largest roster of Coach Dave Hollen’s ten-year tenure as the head coach of Palmyra Girls Cross Country. Despite losing their top runner from 2023, Abby Berarducci, the Lady Cougars will return a large contingent from last year. Seniors Avery Rohrer and Ellie Schaffer, along with sophomore Amber McCurdy, give Palmyra strength in their top three options. Sarah Sipe, a senior, has shown improvement and will likely heavily factor into the scoring. There is expected to be healthy competition for the remaining spots as the postseason roster will eventually be cut down to seven runners. Considering the level of experience and their depth, look for Palmyra to challenge for a spot at States.