By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
NEWVILLE, Pa. — Senior Graham Wanck will be making his third appearance and junior Alissa Vough her second in a row at the PIAA, Class AA Cross-Country Championships at Big Spring High School.
For Wanck, who qualified as a freshman and a sophomore, patience has been a virtue in coming back from a fractured shin that cost him his entire junior season, and the beginning of this season.
"It's the same injury, and the same frustration, but we made it back," he said.
"I'd say it was more patience than work to get back here," noted Wanck. "It was just the same exercise and trusting that it would heal eventually.
"I'm still not 100 percent. I can't run full mileage and I'm only running four times a week, maybe 20 miles, so I'm not doing even close to what I feel like I should be going to States and competing at the highest level, but we're ready to give a shot," he added.
Wanck is just happy to be "mostly" healthy heading into the State meet.
"Freshman year, it was definitely a shock to run with that many experienced people, and I think we were really surprised with how I did," he said.
"Then sophomore year, I was sick, so this will be first time since freshman year that I'll be there healthy and competing," Wanck added.
Wanck finished 53rd as a freshman, and 112th as a sophomore.
Vough believes she and Wanck will have an advantage over first-time State runners, but not as big as in previous years.
"This year, it's a different course, so it's kind of just starting all over again, but I'm excited to see what the new course is like, and just go for it," she said.
"We definitely have an advantage over those kids who haven't run at States before," added Vough. "It's like a whole new thing ... there are a lot of people, a lot of competitors."
Vough, who finished 72nd at States last year, has modest goals for her race.
"I just want to compete like I have been the whole season," she said. "I want to get out hard and definitely try to not get boxed in. Last year, I went out with a big group of girls and kind of got stuck in the middle.
"Maybe go out faster, but stay under control and just run how I have been this whole season," added Vough.
Wanck has loftier goal in his last trip to States.
"I think I'm going into it with the mindset of being fearless," he said. "Just take it from the gun and catch as many people as I can.
"I definitely want to metal," noted Wanck. "It's my senior year, I have to medal, I don't think any Athens boy has ever done it, so that would be a big win — that's the top goal.
"If I can catch and get in the top 10 that would be great," added Wanck.
"I'm just going to go run it like it's my last race and do everything I can to place as high as I can."
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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Graham Wanck and junior Alissa Vough. ... VSR STOCK PHOTOS.
