Tyrone, Bellwood-Antis, Altoona, Bishop Guilfoyle and Hollidaysburg participated in the Mountain Athletic Conference Regional Cross Country Meet on the Logan Elementary School course in Altoona on Tuesday afternoon.
In the boys race, Bellwood-Antis junior Ben Hatch had the best area finish, placing fifth overall in 17:55, with Tyrone sophomore Dustin Elder placing 22nd with a time of 19:00.
Bellwood-Antis placed third overall, but was the first of the three Double-A teams with 84 points, followed by Tyrone with 114 points and BG with 119.
B-A freshman Cooper Campbell was 27th in 19:26, and Blue Devil Jamie Rimmey was just behind in 28th with a time of 19:32. Sophomore John Wolfe was 35th in 20:09, and the Blue Devils fifth runner was sophomore Tyler Hunter, who was 38th in 20:23.
Following Elder for the Golden Eagles were freshman Nathan Kruis, 31st in 19:48, Bradley McNeal, 37th in 20:22, Philip Kreckle, 43rd in 20:40 and Joe Miller, 58th in 23:59.
“Dustin Elder was our first boy in today,” said Tyrone cross country coach Tammy Wills. “He ran such a tough race, he just never lets up during a race and it is showing in his times. Nathan Kruis was our second runner. He received an award for freshman runner. He did an outstanding job tonight. Nathan is one of the most talented freshman we have ever had.
Other runners for Tyrone included freshman Daniel Kilgus (62nd), Caleb Dillon (65th) and Ben Smerekar (66th).
“Bradley McNeal and Philip Kreckle ran very hard races and are right where we need them to be going into conference and district meets in the next few weeks. I am very pleased with Joe Miller, Caleb Dillon and Ben Smerekar, they all ran very well,” said Wills. “Ben ‘Lightning Fast’ Smerekar set a new personal record today. Ben is coming along great. He has a super kick at the end of a race, it is fun to watch him finish.”
Hollidaysburg senior Phillip Pope crossed the finish line first in 17:24, with teammate Stuart Rhodes just behind him in 17:26. Altoona sophomore Ryan Trexler was third in 17:34, followed by Altoona’s Dean Slatko in 17:51. Pat Himes’s 24th place in 19:12 was the top time for Bishop Guilfoyle.
Other Blue Devil runners included: Garett Wyland (42nd), Jeff Stuby (48th), Corey Miller (49th), Ronnie Wilson (53rd), Brad Rydbom (55th), Jordon Miller (60th), Jimmy Matter (64th), Donnie Partner (57th), Dylan Nelson (68th), Brandon Smith (69th) and Ryan Wolfe (70th).
In the girls race, Hollidaysburg sophomore Ashley Ott was the top runner in 20:32, and freshman Kelsey O’Brien was second leading a group of seven Altoona girls who placed second through eighth. Bellwood-Antis finished third in the team race with 80 points, behind Altoona with 20 and Hollidaysburg with 44.
Bellwood-Antis senior Sarah Bell was the top local placer with an 11th place finish in 22:33. Lady Blue Devil junior Becca Colyer was 23rd in 25:08, freshman Allison Derr was 25th in 25:10, older sister Emily Derr, a B-A sophomore, was 26th in 25:18, and sophomore Emily O’Shea was one place back in 27th in 25:36.
Sophomore Christina Dougherty was the top. Tyrone girl with a 29th place in 25:46. Salena Bradigan., a Tyrone sophomore, was 39th in 26:52, Lizzy Shields was 43rd in 27:55. The Tyrone girls had only three runners and were not scored in the meet, lacking the necessary five runners.
“Our girls all ran very well today, they improved on their times,” said Wills. “Lizzie Shields received an award for one of the top freshmen. She has continuously improved throughout the season. I was happy to see her receive the award.
“Christina Dougherty ran a hard race today. She placed well and had one of her best times, as did Salena Bradigan. Salena is such a hard worker and so determined, and it shows when she is running.”
Other Lady Blue Devil runners included: Brittany Webb (44th), Kelley Killinger (46th), Jenna Nevling (48th), Rachel Bilka (51st) and Andrea Isola (52nd).
