DISTRICT 4 CROSS COUNTRY: ATHENS' WANCK, BRONSON PUNCH TICKETS TO CLASS AA STATES; SAYRE'S VanBENTHUYSEN FINISHES 20TH IN CLASS A (2024-10-24)
By CHRIS MANNINGValley Sports ReportBLOOMSBURG — Athens sophomore Graham Wanck and senior Sara Bronson both had strong showings at the District IV Cross-country Championships Thursday.
Wanck (16:00.8) placed third in the Class AA boys’ race, while Bronson (19:36) was fifth in the Class AA girls’ race - good enough to send both runners to the PIAA Championships.
“I love the effort I put in,” Wanck said. “I went all out, gave it all I had, and, at the end of the day, it’s all you can do. I’m happy with the place, and I think I was three seconds short of my time, but that’s all right.”
Wanck was just one second behind Midd-West’s Ben Hummel (15:59.4) while Lewisburg’s Jonathan Hess (15:27.6) ran away with the title.
The sophomore enjoyed running in one of the most competitive Class AA district races in the state, running in a pack of at least four - sometimes more - during much of the race.
“It’s fun to have people to run with,” said Wanck. “They push you, and it makes it a lot easier to run fast.”
It was a foot race for second coming down the last 800 meters between Wanck, Hummel, and Shikellamy’s Sam Hennett (16:07.6).
“I kind of knew they were going to be up there, and I told myself to just hang in there, and keep picking it up, don’t let them get a bigger lead. I tried my best to close the gap.”
He caught Hennett, but couldn’t quite get Hummel.
“He got away at the end of the day, but it happens,” said Wanck.
Wanck will be heading back to States with eyes on getting in the top 25.
“I just have to trust the training,” he said. “Take the taper and give it my all there.”
The Athens boys were eighth as a team with 207 placement points.
Senior Ethan Hicks (17:47.6) was 28th, sophomore Jacob Shores (18:41.3) took 51st, sophomore Matthew Rossetti (18:53) was 57th, and senior Lohith Kinthala (21:14.2) rounded out the top five in 99th.
For Bronson, she used a big kick at the end to move up to her best career finish in fifth.
“I felt like it was a pretty good race,” she said. “My second mile wasn’t as fast as I had hoped, but I kicked really well, so I’m excited.”
The senior is encouraged by her final mile as she gets ready for the PIAA Championships.
“I felt really good in the last mile, and I’m really glad that I was able to push,” she said. “I think that will help me next week.”
After finishing just inside the top 10 over the course of her career she was glad to finally make the top five.
“That’s really exciting,” Bronson said. “I’ve been working toward this meet, and the state meet, all season, and I’m really happy with being able to finish the highest I’ve ever finished here ever.”
Teammates junior Ava Hughes (21:13.8) and freshman Alissa Vough (21:17.1) were 22nd and 23rd overall, both missing states by two and three places, respectively.
Senior Karolin Roelle (24:06.2) was 52nd, with sophomore Grace Ellsworth (24:19.9) taking 55th.
Athens (143) was fifth as a team.
In the Class A boys’ race Sayre’s Glen VanBenthuysen (19:19.8) finished 20th overall.
The PIAA Cross Country Championships are set for Nov. 2 in Hershey.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Sara Bronson. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens sophomore Graham Wanck leads a pack at the District 4 Championships. ... PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING.
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