The 2025 girls cross country season in Lebanon County is set to showcase a mix of experience, emerging talent, and teams striving for growth. Several programs return key athletes while integrating promising newcomers, creating a competitive and exciting landscape this fall.
From well-established squads aiming for District and State appearances to developing teams working to build depth, every team brings a unique story to the line. Senior leaders will guide their peers, juniors and sophomores will step into expanded roles, and freshmen will bring fresh energy and determination.
Expect spirited competition in each section and conference, with runners pushing for personal bests, team success, and the pride of representing their schools. With new coaches introducing fresh approaches and veteran athletes leading by example, the 2025 girls cross country season is shaping up to be dynamic, challenging, and full of memorable moments.
LebCo Boys Cross Country Season Outlook: 2025
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Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Caitlin Heller – 7th season
Key Returners: Madi Long (Sr.); Caitlin Shay (Sr.); Emily Shearer (Sr.); Mackenzie Stellmach (Jr.); Anna Lezon (Jr.); Lucy Stellmach (So.); Paige Stoltz (So.)
Key Newcomers: Leah Tshudy (Sr.); Leah Rotunda (So.); Bridget Funck (Fr.); Valentina Russo (So.)
Outlook: The Dutchmen girls return all seven varsity runners from last year’s historic team that captured the District 3 title and recorded the program’s best-ever finish at the PIAA State Meet. Leading the way is Mackenzie Stellmach, the reigning District 3 champion who placed 14th at States, with sister Lucy close behind after her 3rd-place district finish. Veteran leadership from Caitlin Shay, Emily Shearer, and Anna Lezon provides stability, while underclassmen like Madi Long and Paige Stoltz add depth. The lineup grows even stronger with the return of Leah Tshudy from injury and the addition of Leah Rotunda (via New Covenant Christian co-op), along with rising talents Bridget Funck and Valentina Russo. With proven postseason experience and a culture built on leadership and consistency, this group believes it can achieve something special. And while one power couple might be trading jewelry, the Dutchmen have their eyes on bringing home some bling of their own this fall.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen Schedule
Cedar Crest Falcons
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Brandon Risser – 21st season
Key Returners: Eliana Schneider (Sr.); Clara Schneider (Sr.); Emerson Miller (Sr.); Sophie Meli (Sr.); Vivian Doster (Sr.)
Key Newcomers: Hayden Wamsher (Sr.); Makenzie Wamsher (Sr.); Sophie Musser (Fr.); Jaylie Reyes (Fr.)
Outlook: The Cedar Crest girls enter the season with a solid core of experienced runners and the potential to be highly competitive. Eliana Schneider, a League medalist and three-time State qualifier, provides leadership, supported by Vivian Doster, Sophie Meli, Emerson Miller, and Clara Schneider. Newcomers Makenzie Wamsher, Hayden Wamsher, Sophie Musser, and Jaylie Reyes bring fresh talent and energy to the squad. With a focus on developing depth and prioritizing health throughout the season, this group has the tools to achieve success while continuing to grow as a cohesive cross country team.
ELCO Raiders
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Mike Harnish – 1st season
Key Returners: Elizabeth Croft (So.); Riley Keener (So.); Paityn Newswanger (So.)
Key Newcomers: Reagan Zwally (Jr.)
Outlook: The ELCO girls cross country team returns three talented sophomores: Elizabeth Croft, Riley Keener, and Paityn Newswanger, providing a young but promising core. Junior Reagan Zwally rejoins the team after a year off; she was the top runner on the squad in 2023 and brings leadership and experience. Under first-year head coach Mike Harnish, a former standout ELCO runner with a strong collegiate career at LVC, the team is focusing on building consistency, developing talent, and improving performance. Like the boys, this is a young squad, making this season an important baseline for growth. The goal is to surpass last year’s five-runner averages and lay the foundation for stronger competitiveness in future seasons.
Lebanon Cedars
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Keith Rolon – 1st season
Key Returners: Herlen Rodriguez Barrera (Jr.)
Key Newcomers: Olive Brandt (Sr.)
Outlook: The Lebanon Cedars girls cross country team continues to be in a developmental phase. Herlen Rodriguez Barrera provides leadership as the returning athlete, while newcomer Olive Brandt, known for her work as one of Lebanon’s guards on the basketball court during the last three years—including Section 1 championships and State Playoff appearances—brings athleticism and competitive fire with her to the program. Under first-year head coach Keith Rolon, a proud Cedar alum, the team aims to compete whenever possible and establish a foundation for future seasons, building toward a more consistent and competitive presence in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Tricia Schafebook – 17th season (non-consecutive)
Key Returners: MacKenzie Miller (Sr.); Saoirse Phillips (Sr.); Alexis Schreckengost (Sr.); Clarissa Schamber (Sr.); Olivia Matthews (Jr.); Gabby Citino (So.); Zoey Bouchard (So.)
Key Newcomers: Chloe Seyfert (So.); Hadley Barr (Fr.); Taylor Cunningham (Fr.); DeLayna Kreiser (Fr.)
Outlook: The Northern Lebanon girls return several key seniors who qualified for Districts last season, including MacKenzie Miller, Saoirse Phillips, Alexis Schreckengost, and Clarissa Schamber, along with junior Olivia Matthews and sophomores Gabby Citino and Zoey Bouchard. Newcomers Chloe Seyfert (So.), Hadley Barr (Fr.), Taylor Cunningham (Fr.), and DeLayna Kreiser (Fr.) bring fresh talent and energy to the squad. With a mix of experienced upperclassmen and hardworking newcomers, the team is focused on qualifying as a full squad for the District meet, building on last year’s individual successes and fostering depth across the lineup.
Northern Lebanon Vikings Schedule
Palmyra Cougars
Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division
Head Coach: Dave Hollen – 11th season
Key Returners: Andrea Cooper (Sr.); Amber McCurdy (Sr.); Helena Baker (Jr.); Chelsea Herr (Jr.); Leah Senft (Jr.)
Key Newcomers: Anna Good (Fr.); Jericho Church (Fr.); Laura Reese (So.)
Outlook: The Cougars girls return a solid core of experienced runners despite losing top performers Avery Rohrer and Sarah Sipeto graduation. Amber McCurdy and Andrea Cooper provide leadership as consistently high finishers, while Helena Baker, Chelsea Herr, and Leah Senft showed strong improvement last season and are expected to anchor the middle of the pack. Newcomers Laura Reese (returning from injury), Anna Good, and Jericho Church bring fresh talent to the team. With a young roster composed mostly of sophomores and juniors, the girls are expected to improve steadily throughout the season. Competing in the Mid Penn Keystone Division, a highly competitive AAA conference, will prepare them well for postseason meets, with the goal of qualifying for the District 3 Championship and potentially sending runners to States.
LebCo Boys Cross Country Season Outlook: 2025
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