Coach Murtha Shares On Liam Raehsler’s All-State Cross Country Season (11/13/14)
(By Coach Keith Murtha)
Clarion Senior Liam Raehsler entered the PIAA State Championship in Hershey, a District 9 champion, Clarion’s first since Eric Laughlin in 1987, two years prior to Liam’s birth. In a fantastic senior season, Liam enters the State race undefeated against D9 competition. He was voted KSAC MVP by the conference coaches.
(Photo by Rod Raehsler) Adam Bettwy, Coach Keith Murtha and Liam Raehsler after the State race
Teammate Adam Bettwy also joined him at states, running a season best 18:06 and finishing 85th in the competition of 223, as a sophomore. Bettwy was rewarded with a spot the All Conference First Team, for his efforts, by the KSAC coaches.
Some of Liam’s accomplishments include; he was the champion of Commodore Perry Panther Invitational, Ridgway Invitational, finished 2nd at the prestigious PIAA Foundation Invitational. Liam Finished in the top 10 at PTXC Gold, where the first six finishers were state champions from the states of PA. NJ, NY, and MD, regardless of classification!
Liam finished 16th at States, in a time 17:01, on perhaps one of the hardest courses in the state, the top 25 earn medals and the distinction of “All-State” He has a season best of 16:43.
Liam also led a young team to their best finish since the undefeated 1987 team. The Bobcats finished 4th at districts. The team was 6-2 in dual meets, losing only to eventual D9 champion Cranberry and North Clarion in 28-27 classic.
The best is yet to come. Liam will participate in the Foot Locker Regional Cross Country Championship held in Bronx, New York!, running against the best on the East Coast. This leads to an eventual Foot Locker National Championship and has been a hot bed of elite division 1 talent, Olympic champions and professional runners since its inception 35 years ago!
Already a D 9 champion in the 2 mile on the track, Liam is hoping to improve upon that this spring and make his mark at Shippensburg!
(Photo by Keith Murtha) Adam and Liam at the finish lineAlready a D 9 champion in the 2 mile on the track, Liam is hoping to improve upon that this spring and make his mark at Shippensburg!A strong academic student, Liam is considering lots of options for engineering and running but Penn State is definitely in the mix.
Liam has participated in Cross Country and Track since 7th grade and it has been my pleasure to be a small part of the legacy he leave here at Clarion! I wish him the best at foot locker, in track this spring and as he begins his college career.” He is a quality kid and his best years are ahead of him!
(Thanks to Coach Murtha for this article and his photo and to Rod Raehsler for his photo. Congratulations to Liam and Adam!!!!)