Cross Country Season Outlook: 2025 (Member’s Edition)
Girls
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.
Boys
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Caitlin Heller – 7th season
Key Returners: David Moran (Sr.); Oliver Funck (Sr.); Luke Tshudy (Sr.); Benjamin Boyd (Jr.)
Key Newcomers: Z Moyer (Sr.); Hunter Troxell (Jr.)
Outlook: Fresh off a remarkable season that included a District 3 championship (their second straight), a Section 3 title (third straight), and a 3rd-place team finish at the PIAA State Meet—just two points shy of runner-up—the Annville-Cleona boys are hungry for more. The charge is led by Oliver Funck, who placed 18th at States and 3rd in Districts, and David Moran, the reigning 800m State Champion who also finished 7th in District 3. Add in consistent contributors like Luke Tshudy and Benjamin Boyd, and the Dutchmen return the bulk of last year’s powerhouse lineup. Depth gets an extra boost with the return of senior Z Moyer from injury and the addition of Hunter Troxell, who joins through the New Covenant Christian co-op. With their high standards and relentless drive, this group isn’t concerned with the weight of expectations—sometimes you just have to shake it off and keep charging forward toward another championship run.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen Schedule
Cedar Crest Falcons
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Brandon Risser – 21st season
Key Returners: Benjamin Boyd (Sr.); James Engle (Sr.); Travis Furmanski (Sr.); Tony Figueroa (Sr.); Hayden Snavely (Sr.); Henry Wengert (Sr.); Wyatt Wolfe (Sr.)
Key Newcomers: Bryce Wampler (Sr.)
Outlook: After a successful rebuilding season last year, during which the boys improved to a 6-1 record in Section competition and remained competitive at both Leagues and Districts, the Falcons are ready to build on that momentum. Senior Travis Furmanski, a League & District medalist and two-time State qualifier, kicked off the season by winning the Warwick Twilight 3K, leading the Falcons to the overall team title. He is joined by Tony Figueroa, a League medalist, while veterans James Engle, Benjamin Boyd, Hayden Snavely, Henry Wengert, and Wyatt Wolfe provide depth and experience. Freshman Bryce Wampler adds new energy to the squad. This group has been working hard throughout the offseason, and team success will ultimately depend on the cohesion and strength of the CCXC Pack as they face top competition this season.
ELCO Raiders
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Mike Harnish – 1st season
Key Returners: None
Key Newcomers: Cru Frederick (So.); Max Frederick (So.); John Gass (Fr.); Sawyer Shanaman (Fr.)
Outlook: The ELCO boys cross country team is entering a young, developmental year under first-year head coach Mike Harnish, a former standout ELCO runner who also enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Lebanon Valley College. With no key returners and the loss of Chad Keller to LVC, the focus is on building experience and depth in the 5k. Leading the newcomers are twin brothers Cru and Max Frederick, coming off a strong spring track season while balancing soccer and cross country, along with freshmen John Gass and Sawyer Shanaman. The team has put in a dedicated summer of training, and the new coaching staff aims to bring consistency for athletes running year-round in cross country and track. This season is about gaining experience, developing young runners, and laying the foundation for future success.
Lebanon Cedars
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Keith Rolon – 1st season
Key Returners: Thadeous Gilbert (Sr.); Jaeqwan Johnson (Sr.); Samuel Hershey (Jr.); Trystan Steckbeck (Jr.); Jovannie Martinez (So.)
Key Newcomers: None
Outlook:
The Lebanon Cedars boys enter a rebuilding period under first-year head coach Keith Rolon, a proud Cedar alum who knows the program’s history and culture firsthand. With the graduation of many top runners over the past two seasons, this group faces the challenge of filling big shoes. Thadeous Gilbert and Jaeqwan Johnson, both 4×800 District medalists, lead the team with experience and leadership, while Samuel Hershey returns as the top finisher from last year. Juniors Trystan Steckbeck and sophomore Jovannie Martinez add additional talent and depth. While the team may lack overall depth, they aim to be competitive in Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League and at invitationals, continuing the recent tradition of Cedars runners achieving success at the Section, League, and District levels.
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Tricia Schafebook – 17th season (non-consecutive)
Key Returners: Charles Bomberger (Sr.); Josiah Kelly (Sr.); Luke Hentz (Sr.); Connor Troxell (Sr.); Thaddeus Raub (Sr.); Tucker Reiber (Sr.); Anthony Frederick (So.); Alex Breiner (So.); Myles Horst (So.); Owen Kelly (So.)
Key Newcomers: Collin Cheslock (Sr.); Levi Bucks (So.); Isaac Bruce (Fr.); Mason Krall (Fr.); Emeri Kreiser (Fr.); Daryl Root (Fr.)
Outlook:
After graduating several key seniors, the Northern Lebanon boys return a strong core of experienced athletes, led by Luke Hentz, a League and District medalist and State qualifier, Thaddeus Raub, also a District and State qualifier, and Josiah Kelly and Tucker Reiber, both District qualifiers. Seniors Charles Bomberger and Connor Troxell add depth and leadership, while sophomores Anthony Frederick, Alex Breiner, Myles Horst, and Owen Kelly provide talent for the future. The team also welcomes newcomers Collin Cheslock (Sr.), Levi Bucks (So.), and freshmen Isaac Bruce, Mason Krall, Emeri Kreiser, and Daryl Root, who are expected to contribute immediately. The Vikings’ goal this season is clear: qualify as many runners as possible for postseason competition, with the ultimate aim of sending a full team to States.
Northern Lebanon Vikings Schedule
Palmyra Cougars
Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division
Head Coach: Dave Hollen – 11th season
Key Returners: Gavin Bullard (Sr.); Cornelius Cummings (Sr.); Nathan Keiner (Sr.); Josh Miller (Sr.); Tucker Reiber (Jr.); Brendan Monahan (Jr.); Dalton Cole (So.)
Key Newcomers: Ethan Chirico (Fr.)
Outlook:
The Cougars boys will be led by a strong group of seniors, including two-time State qualifier Cornelius Cummings, with Gavin Bullard, Nathan Keiner, and Josh Miller adding varsity and postseason experience. Juniors Brendan Monahan and Tucker Reiber, along with sophomore Dalton Cole (returning from injury), round out a talented core. Freshman Ethan Chirico is one to watch among a large ninth-grade class. With a combination of veteran leadership and promising underclassmen, Palmyra expects a very competitive season in the Mid Penn Keystone Division. Staying healthy and continuing to develop depth will be key, with the goal of qualifying both boys and girls teams for the District 3 Championship and sending several runners to States.
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