Clarion Running Project Competes at Spire Institute, an Olympic Training Center!

(By Coach Keith Murtha)

Friday evening (February 3rd), eight Clarion track athletes had the opportunity to travel to the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio to compete in an indoor track meet against athletes from the tri-state area (OH, PA, NY) on world class facilities.

(Photos by Coach Keith Murtha)

Gabby Weaver, Forest Mills, Brendan Zerfoss, Kyle Paterson, Adam Bettwy, Nick & Noah Schill, and Jacob Smith represented the Clarion Running Project, a track club started to give Clarion athletes opportunities to compete outside of the traditional season, in big meets such as Spire and Nike Cross Nationals as well as developmental opportunities for junior high athletes.

The Clarion Athletes held their own in a talented field, averaging 56 entrants per race.

Brendan Zerfoss had the highest finish of the night on limited training, placing 11th in a field of 56 in a time of 23.60 in the 200 dash.

Two time State Champ Ryan Thrush, from Brookville, also traveled with CRP and finished 5th in the 200 in in 23.30. Thrush also went on to WIN the 800 in 1:54.

Forest Madison Mills finished in the top half of the field of 68 in the 800 after doubling in the 400 with a time of 2:46 in the 800. She narrowly beat fellow District Nine competitors Sunafrank and Little from Bradford.

Adam Bettwy, doubling in the 400 for speed work after just having run the mile, ran an impressive 1:01. The top D9 Finisher was Tyler Kraft of Bradford in in 55.34 good for 24 th place in a field of 56.

Clarion Athletes should be commended for doubling up in events, with little recovery for training purposes, on limited training this winter all with the focus on a successful and fun spring!

District 9 showed well at Spire, Northern Potter was also in attendance, with Amanda Ford a sophomore finishing 17th in field of 59 in the mile. Her time was 5:45.

The Clarion Running Project is coached by Keith Murtha, Nate McClaine and B.J. Roth. It is a self funding programing.

A big thank you goes out to the parents who help with transportation and support these athletes and the program!

(Thanks to Coach Murtha for this article. Keep up the good work, Clarion Running Project!!!!)