DISTRICT 4 CROSS-COUNTRY: ATHENS' WANCK, VOUGH PUNCH TICKETS TO CLASS AA STATE MEET (24 PHOTOS) (October 29, 2026)


SAYRE'S CONDEN CRACKS TOP 30 IN CLASS A RACE

By CHRIS MANNING
Valley Sports Report
BLOOMSBURG — Athens advanced two runners to States at the District IV Cross-country Championships Thursday, and both had to overcome injuries this year to get there. Senior Graham Wanck was fifth in the Class AA boys race while junior Alissa Vough placed ninth in the Class AA girls race.

"It feels great in my last year," Wanck said. "State wasn't really the goal this year - I mean, it's exciting to go my senior year, but I'm just so grateful to be running again, and just competing on the districts course this time."

Wanck, who clocked in at 16:20.8) missed most of the season with an injury, just coming back for the final few weeks to tune up for the postseason.

"It's been a struggle, like every year, but I just took it one day at a time," he explained. "I've been back for two or three weeks, but it's been really hard. I'm so excited to be able to finish the season running."

Wanck ran in the chase pack pretty much the entire race, toggling between fifth and sixth.

"We went through the mile really fast," he said. "I was like, 'well, this is the group, so we're going to try to sick with them.' Going up the hill, they got a gap every time, I'm not super strong yet, so I would try to catch up to them, and I'd fall back, and gain on them a little, but it was fun having people to push."

He's hopeful to be able to finish his career on the state podium.

"Get there, medal, and just enjoy it," said Wanck.

Senior Matt Rossettie (17:48.5) finished 22nd, and the Wildcats placed eighth overall in the team standings with 217 points.

Senior Jacob Shores (18:34.7) finished 44th, senior Corbin Smith (19:07) was 58th, and sophomore Micah Simwale (22:03.5) finished 99th.

In the Class A boys race, Sayre freshman Caleb Conden finished 28th in a time of 19:46.5.

Vough, who clocked in at 20:04.1, also had a tough start to the season.

"I had an injury at the beginning of the season, so I'm really proud of myself that I was able to push myself, and get there this year," she said. "I wasn't sure if I was going to be able."

Vough spent of the morning running right around 10th as she toggled between ninth and 12th.

"I knew there was a big group behind me," she said. "I tried to push myself to get out of that. I kind of knew I was going once I stayed with them."

She also had some familiar faces to run with in Towanda's Izzy Larson and NP-Mamsfield's Leila Garverick.

"That was really fun considering they're from the NTL," remarked Vough. "We have a very competitive NTL, so I'm very proud of us that we can all run together."

She's plans on keeping her training consistent.

"I just want to run faster than I did last year," said Vough.

The Wildcats finished ninth as a team with 274 points.

Sophomore Stella Unger (24:10.5) finished 58th, while freshman Paisley Smith (24:40.4) was 65th, sophomore Adaline Burnett (25:14.8) was 67th, and sophomore Katyayini Kinthala (27:12.1) was 86th.



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