The two local school districts each qualified one runner for the PIAA Cross Country Meet that was run last Saturday, Nov. 3. Rich Stever, a freshman, just beginning his high school cross country career from Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis senior Ben Hatch, at the opposite end of his running career, were among 274 boys who participated in the state meet.
Hatch, who had the best finish of all area runners, defeated several of the runners who had bested him in the District 6 race in late October. Hatch finished in 57th place, in a time of 17:41, well ahead of his 2006 place (207th) and time (18:17).
The B-A senior, who also plays point guard on the Blue Devils basketball team, is probably best known for his 800 meter and 1600 meter running in the spring in track and field, but Bellwood-Antis cross country coach Julie Roseborough feels the long distance of cross country in the fall, only helps Hatch for the rest of his sports participation.
“Ben ran a really good race, he moved way up from last year,” said Roseborough. “He also beat a couple of the guys who placed in front of him at the district race. He was fifth overall among District 6 kids (Hatch qualified 7th in 2007, after a 14th place at districts a year ago). This was a tough course for everyone with lots of hills. The work Ben has put in for the cross country season will make him stronger in track and field in the spring.”
Tyrone freshman Rich Stever qualified for the PIAA meet by running a 17:35 in the district meet at the Indian Valley Middle School course in Reedsville, the first Golden Eagle cross country runner to qualify for the PIAA meet in Hershey since Jim Wiggins in 2000 for Tyrone cross country coach Tammy Wills.
Rich ran a good race on what was a very tough course,” said Wills. “I am so proud of Rich and the way he ran. It’s a big accomplishment to qualify and run in states as a freshman.”
Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt’s Joe Beveridge won the boys race in a time of 16:32, while North East High School won the Double-A boys title with 83 points. District 6 champ Central Cambria was 16th with 396 points and Bedford finished 24th with 718 points.
For the girls race, Carly Seymour, who has medaled all four years, won her second gold medal in 17:49 to lead her Lady Red Devil teammates to the Double-A girls team title with 53 points. Seymour’s sisters Kelsey (22nd in 19:53 and Kendall (24th in 19:54) were joined by Annie Cekeda (19th in 19:50) to defeat Elk Lake by 122 points. Carly bested the entire field knocking off her nearest competition by 40 seconds.
