Valley Sports ReportATHENS — The Wildcats lost their top runner from 2024, but the Athens girls cross country teams return a lot of experienced runners and is looking for the same level of success it's accustom to in 2025.
Athens coach Scott Riley said he is pleased with the turnout for the team this season.
"Our numbers are up slightly from where they have been the past few years," he said. "We also have a nice group of Junior High girls putting in some solid work.
"We have 10 hard-working girls on the high school team," he noted.
"We have some familiar faces as well as some new faces this season.
"The girls have been working really hard with many of them running some good mileage throughout the summer," added Burnett. "We have some great leadership, but will have to rely on some younger girls run well and be in key roles this season."
The Wildcats are entering a new era as it will be the first year without a Bronson (Emma and Sara) sister, who are both currently running at Division I Bucknell, in seven years.
"We had two seniors, Sara Bronson and Maryrose Bertsch, who both we great leaders on our team and role models for the younger girls," said Riley. "Sara was a four-time state qualifier so that is obliviously tough to replace."
Sophomore Alissa Vough and senior Ava Hughes are the Wildcats' top returners this season, with senior Karolin Roelle, juniors Haylie Horton and Grace Ellsworth, and sophomores Marlene Roelle and Tatyana Nasser all returning.
"We have much of our roster returning from last season," said Riley. "We are hoping Ava Hughes and Alissa Vough will help lead the girls in races, but when you look at our roster, we have other tough runners to help us be very competitive.
"Haylie Horton had a great track season," noted Riley. "Grace Elsworth, Karolin and Marlene Roelle and Tatyana Nasser all have a learning year under their belt which should help them."
The Wildcats also have a couple newcomers in freshman Adaline Burnett and Katyayini Kinthala.
"Adaline Burnett ran on our junior high team last season and had a great deal of success, so we are excited for her season this year.
"We also have first-year runner Katyayini Kinthala, who is new to cross country this year but working hard and running well in practice so far," said Burnett.
Riley sees potential on this team.
"Our team has been pretty strong the last few years and we are hoping to continue with the same level of success," he said.
"With the mix of youth and experience, we are excited to see where we stand and get started with some races," Riley noted. "We are looking to see the girls continue to grow throughout the season as they gain experience.
"If they develop, this should lead to a strong post season for the team," he added.
ON THE NTL: "The NTL is always loaded with outstanding runners and strong teams," said Riley. "Tuesdays are always fun to see the great competition between the girls.
"As for NTL teams, Towanda girls look like they will be tough this year, but there is always great competition throughout the league.
"As we get into the postseason, I expect the NTL will have a large number of girls that run well at the District 4 meet and set themselves up to qualify for the State meet," he added.
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IN PHOTO: Athens sophomore Alissa Vough. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.
