Wildcat Harriers Have Big Day At Ridgway Invitational After Solid Dual Meet At Brookville; Varsity Girls Finish 1st, Varsity Boys Place Third At Ridgway

on 7 October, 2025 at 09:43

Above photo courtesy of Tiffany Jackson – The whole Wildcat contingient Varsity and Junior High on the Rock at Ridgway

(By Central Clarion Head Coach, Nicole Oakes)

The Central Clarion cross country teams had a full and successful week, competing Tuesday (September 30th) in Brookville and again Saturday,(October 4th) at the Ridgway Invitational.

At Brookville, the Varsity Girls team dominated the course, earning a decisive 15–50 victory over Brookville Area. Central Clarion runners captured the first seven finishing spots, showcasing impressive depth and teamwork.

Leading up to the meet, we really talked to the girls about the importance of running as a pack, especially against the Brookville teams. Especially, in this girls race, we can really see that they applied what we practiced and it paid off.

For the Varsity Boys, illness and injury sidelined the team’s usual top three runners. Despite the setback, the squad put forth a strong effort, with Brookville earning the 16–43 win.

Leading Central Clarion was Drake Edmonds, who finished fifth overall with a time of 18:20.

In Junior High competition, the Central Clarion girls narrowly edged out Brookville 27–30. Consistent performances from Bryn Anderson,

Lauren Emings, and Lila Breniman, who took the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots respectively, secured the win.

The Junior High boys fell 35–20, though several runners finished tightly packed in the 5th–9th positions behind a strong Brookville pack.

On Saturday, October 4th, at the Ridgway Invitational, Central Clarion continued its strong showing under sunny skies.

The Varsity Girls claimed first place overall out of nine teams, finishing 40 points ahead of runner-up Fort LeBoeuf.

**Photo courtesy of Christie Datko (L-R) Kaley Milliron, Hannah Love, Dana Coulson, Liv McGinley, Adisen Jackson, Julianna Schwabenbauer, Reise Jackson, Eliza Datko.**

Adisen Jackson (20:19.50) finished third, Eliza Datko (20:50.60) finished third, Hannah Love (20:58.40) finished seventh and Julianna Schwabenbauer (21:37.30) finished twelfth. The all earned individual award t-shirts with Top-15 finishes. Reise Jackson (21:47.10) just missed out on a t-shirt finishing sixteenth.

**Photo courtesy of Christie Datko – Wildcats Top 15 Girls T-shirt Award winners (L-R) Adisen Jackson (3rd place), Eliza Datko (4th place), Hannah Love (7th place), Julianna Schwabenbauer (12th place)**

The team continues to train with high goals in mind – including a trip to Hershey for the PIAA State Championships.

**Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jackson – Drake Edmonds who won an award t-shirt, holding up a shirt to honor Hayden Weber who also won a t-shirt, but wasn’t available for photo**

The Varsity Boys placed third overall, led by standout performances rom Drake Edmonds and Hayden Weber, both of whom earned top-finisher recognition.

With just one home meet left before championship season, competition within the team remains fierce as athletes vie for a spot in the district lineup.

At Ridgway, the Junior High girls team, finished third overall, highlighted by Lila Breniman’s (11:40.70) tenth place top-finisher performance, which earned her a coveted Ridgway “Top Finisher” t-shirt. Bryn Anderson (12:08.50) just missed earning a t-shirt, finishing in sixteenth place.

The boys team did not have enough runners to score as a team but showed great effort on the challenging course.

As the season enters its final stretch, Central Clarion athletes continue to build momentum. With just 10 days until the Conference Championships and three weeks until Districts, the Wildcats are sharpening their focus and pushing hard toward postseason success.

(Great job, Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Coach Oakes for this article and to Chistie Datko and Tiffany Jackson for their photos!!)