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Liam Raehsler And Nathaniel Lerch Place First In KSAC Championships (10/20/14)

(By Coach Keith Murtha)

Liam Raehsler and Nathaniel Lerch captured two of the 4 top spots in Thursdays KSAC Championships. A number of other impressive performances were also recorded as well a good team results. Liam and Nathaniel become Clarion first KSAC Champs since Coach Grove’s daughter, Meg in the mid 2000’s.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Liam Raehsler out in front in the Varsity Boys Race

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Liam Raehsler out in front in the Varsity Boys Race

Boys Varsity

Clarion was pleased to host its first KSAC Championships at Clarion County Park! Liam Raehsler won the boys KSAC title and remained undefeated in the conference and in District IX running a time of 17:01. He defeated last season’s KSAC MVP and defending champion, Isaac Wilson of North Clarion, for the third time this season; this time by a margin of over twenty seconds. Liam is having a tremendous season, he has put in the work, starting last track season and looks really good and efficient.

Cranberry, the regular season conference champion, easily won the meet with Clarion finishing third behind North Clarion.

Other Bobcat runners included Crowe Thiem in 16th with a time of 19:53, Kyle Bettwy in 22nd coming in at 20:33, Jimmy Smathers in 24th with a time of 20:39, Marshall Powers in 25th with a time of 20:40, and Victor Stahlman in 54th with a time of 25:58. Summing up the boys meet, Liam is undefeated against all D9 runners heading into Districts. That’s a heck of an accomplishment. Crowe and Marshall had tremendous races.

(Photo by Rod Raehsler) Liam (Left) joined by other top 5 place finishers

(Photo by Rod Raehsler)
Liam (Left) joined by other top 5 place finishers

The boys placed a close 3rd place and were missing Adam Bettwy, who was scratched due to injury. The team will next compete in the District IX meet to be held at Ridgway on Saturday, October 25. Cranberry, Elk County Catholic, Clarion and North Clarion are teams to watch! The top two teams and top ten individual runners will qualify for the PIAA state meet to be held in Hershey on November 1.
Girls Varsity

North Clarion remained unbeaten in the KSAC by winning the KSAC Championship by two points over Cranberry.

Photo by Joyce DiTullio) Varsity Girls at KSAC Meet

(Photo by Joyce DiTullio) Varsity Girls at KSAC Meet

Hannah Frakes was the top Bobcat runner finishing in 20th with a time of 24:33. Liz Saver followed in 34th with a time of 27:22, Lili Frakes was 41st with a time of 28:59, and Mackenzie DiTullio was 52nd coming in at 32:39. I am proud of these girls for persevering in the face of adversity! Liz ran a very good race!

Junior High

Nathaniel Lerch of Clarion won the Boys race with a time of 10:32. Lauren Varsek of Cranberry won the Girls’ Junior High race. Katie Craig and Wendy Beveridge finished 4th and 5th for the Bobcats.

The Clarion girls placed second and the boys a close 4th. I am thrilled for Nathaniel, he has worked really hard and is very coachable.

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Nathaniel Lerch leading JH Boys Race

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Nathaniel Lerch leading JH Boys Race

Katie has worked really hard starting this summer! She and Wendy are a nice 1-2 punch!

The future looks bright for Clarion Cross Country. The junior high had an exceptional day and I am proud of all their accomplishments!

(Photo by Matt Lerch) Clarion, Union and Cranberry Junior High Girls runners

(Photo by Matt Lerch)
Clarion, Union and Cranberry Junior High Girls runners

(Thanks to Coach Murtha for this article and to Joyce DiTullio, Rod Raehsler and Matt Lerch for the photos. Congratulations to Liam and Nathaniel on their first place finishes and congratulations to all the Bobcats on season!!!!)