KSAC Cross Country Championships: Nathaniel Lerch Wins Second Straight Junior High Boys Title, Adam Bettwy Fourth In Varsity Boys Race (10/26/15)

(By Mark Bettwy)

Clarion Bobcat runners traveled to North Clarion High School on Thursday, October 22nd for the 2015 Keystone Athletic Conference Cross Country finals.

Nathaniel Lerch successfully defended his 2014 KSAC Junior High Title with an 8 second victory by holding-off Cranberry’s Logan Johnson. Lerch took the lead halfway through the race, winning the top medal again with a total time of 12:43. He easily beat Cranberry’s Harrison Keenan’s previous junior high course best by cutting off 12 seconds. Teammates Nate Datko and Don Cunningham crossed next for the Bobcats at 14:31 and 14:55 respectively. Alex Cussins followed at 15:04 while Beau Verdill crossed at 15:59 and Cole Stutzman closed it out at 16:40.

(Photo provided by North Clarion Athletic Director Bonnie Wolbert) 2015 KSAC Invitational – Varsity Boys Top Ten

Emma Spitz was the first to cross the line for the junior high girls with a time of 15:46. Jenna Miller followed shortly after at 16:10. Marilyn Lychnsky and Morgan Kahle both finished strong at 17:54 and 17:59 respectively.

In varsity competition, Adam Bettwy led the Bobcat boys with a 4th place overall finish, cutting 27 seconds from his personal best and crossing the line at 17:32. Marshall Powers got a PR while out sprinting Cranberry’s Hunter O’Neil to the line, crossing at 19:41. He was followed by Nick Schill and Noah Cole at 20:30 and 20:47, also two personal bests. Jacob Smith crossed at 21:55 while Victor Stahlman ended at 24:34. Daniel Ketner and Clay McElravy finished at 25:00 and 25:35 respectively.

Katie Craig led the girls varsity team again by pushing to a 9th place overall finish, medaling with a time of 21:29. Gabriella Fleming ended at 23:10 and Liz Saver crossed at 25:05. Lili Frakes followed at 26:26 as senior Captain Shamecka Dittman fought through a foot injury to cross at 29:26. Kyleigh Craddock came across strong at 32:29.

((Photo provided by North Clarion Athletic Director Bonnie Wolbert) 2015 KSAC Invitational – Varsity Girls Top Ten

In Team scoring, the varsity boys finished 3rd with a score of 98 and the girls finished 7th at 134. In junior high, the boys team finished 2nd by scoring 55 points. The girls did not field enough runners to score as a team. Cranberry won all 2015 team titles with the exception of the junior high girls title which was won by Keystone. All results can be found on www.smileymiles.com

Various injuries have plagued the Bobcats this season. Those not running included; senior Captain Kyle Bettwy, Crowe Thiem, Jimmy Smathers, Giovanni Giamboni, Noah Schill, and Gavin Weaver. Chelsea Mason ran but could not continue and DNF, also due to injury.

Coaches Bill Grove, Keith Murtha, and Tammy Lerch with medal winners

The varsity Bobcats compete next on October 31st in Ridgway at the District IX Championships. The top two winning teams and the top 10 individual runners advance to the State Finals in Hershey on November 7th. Good luck Bobcats!!

(Thanks to Mark Bettwy for this article and Bobcat photos. Thanks to Bonnie Wolbert for Top Ten photos. All the best to Bobcat and other KSAC runners, at Districts!!!!)