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On Saturday, 567 high school runners representing 28 schools assembled at Lebanon’s Union Canal Park for the 2024 edition of the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen XC Invitational. The 5k high school races took place prior to the collegiate races that began as the rains began to fall over the region.
In the high school girls’ race, there were six LebCo athletes among the top twenty finishers. They were led by Annville-Cleona’s Mackenzie Stellmach, who finished 3rd overall with a time of 19:28.1. The pair from Palmyra, Amber Mccurdy (20:07.4) and Avery Rohrer (20:07.6), finished 6th and 7th overall, respectively. They were followed by Annville-Cleona’s Lucy Stellmach (20:28.8, 12th), Cedar Crest’s Audrey Fugate (20:32.0, 16th), and Palmyra’s Sarah Sipe (20:35.1, 17th). Cedar Crest freshman Clara Schneider finished 24th with a time of 20:45.9.
Palmyra finished 3rd in the team standings, with Andrea Cooper (21:22.1, 30th) and Eleana Schaffer (21:58.0, 52nd) closing out the varsity scoring. Cedar Crest finished 7th, and Annville-Cleona took 8th. ELCO, led by freshman Paityn Newswanger (21:48.3, 46th), finished in 15th. Northern Lebanon finished 20th overall in the team standings.
In the high school boys’ race, defending State Champion Annville-Cleona edged out Lower Dauphin as they raced to the team title. They were led by three runners finishing in the top twenty spots in the race that featured 328 competitors: Oliver Funck (15:45.8, 3rd), Landon Hostetter (15:56.9, 5th), and Matt Clemson (16:42.5, 19th). David Moran (16:50.1, 22nd) and Luke Tshudy (17:11.2, 28th) closed out the scoring to secure the victory for the Dutchmen.
Besides the previously mentioned Dutchmen, there were four other LebCo runners who finished in the top twenty. Cracking the top ten was Palmyra’s Cornelius Cummings (16:02.8, 6th). Lebanon’s Gavin Sheetz (16:31.1, 11th) put together a nice race to lead the Cedars. Northern Lebanon’s Luke Hentz (16:41.6, 18th) and Palmyra’s Josh Miller (16:44.5, 20th) closed out the list of award winners.
Palmyra finished 6th in the team standings, with Northern Lebanon finishing 8th, Lebanon finishing 11th, Cedar Crest claiming 13th place, and ELCO ending the day in 21st position out of the 25 full teams that competed. Cedar Crest was led by Zach Margut (17:02.7, 27th), and ELCO was led by Chad Keller (17:23.1, 37th).
The strong showing by the LebCo teams in the year’s first major invitational sets the stage for an exciting season that will culminate with the PIAA State Championship Meet that will be held during the first weekend of November.
Girls Cross Country Season Outlook
Congratulations to Mackenzie Stellmach (3rd), Oliver Funck (3rd), and Landon Hostetter (5th) for their T Shirt Awards. The Boys were the Overall Team Champions as well! It was a great day to #beAChampion pic.twitter.com/2ADcT2rGmZ
— ACXC (@acxcdutchmen) September 7, 2024
Solid morning at the LVC Invite for the Cedars! No team score for the Ladies but the boys team placed 11th. Lot of PRs! Go Cedars!!! 🌲 🌲 🌲 pic.twitter.com/5kRJCWIRRc
— Cedars XC (@cedarsxc) September 7, 2024
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