Wildcats Do Great At KSAC Cross Country Championship; Varsity Girls Finish First

on 17 October, 2025 at 16:04

Feature Photo courtesy of Christie Datko: KSAC Girls Champions and coaches gather with plaque: (L-R) Coaches Casey Painter, Kelsey Makin, 9th place finisher Reise Jackson, 2nd Place finisher Adisen Jackson, Third place finisher (holding the trophy) Hannah Love, Livia McGinley, 5th place finisher Eliza Datko, 8th place finisher Julianna Schwabenbauer, Dana Coulson, Kaley Milliron, and coach Nicole Oakes

(By Central Clarion Coach Nicole Oakes)

The Central Clarion Wildcats made a statement at the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Championships, at North Clarion on Tuesday, October 14th, with both Varsity squads turning in impressive performances.

Photo courtesy of Christie Datko Top Ten Varsity Girls KSAC medalists: 1st place -10th (L-R): Beatrice Kolesar (Cranberry), Adisen Jackson (Central Clarion), Hannah Love (Central Clarion), Abby Hastings (North Clarion), Eliza Datko (Central Clarion), Elena Ishman (Cranberry), Evalyn Carroll (North Clarion), Julianna Schwabenbauer (Central Clarion), Reise Jackson (Central Clarion), Alexis Kirshner (Moniteau)

The Varsity Girls captured their second consecutive KSAC Championship title, led by senior Adisen Jackson, who finished second overall in 19:49. Right behind her was Hannah Love, who claimed third place, followed by Eliza Datko (5th), Julianna Schwabenbauer (8th), and Reise Jackson (9th). With all five scoring runners placing in the top ten, the Wildcats secured their spot atop the conference once again.

Photo courtesy of Christie Datko Central Clarion girls capturing the KSAC trophy for the second year in a row! Team Members L-R: Kaley Miliron, Reise Jackson, Julianna Schwabenbauer, Adisen Jackson, Eliza Datko, Livia McGinley, Dana Coulsen, Hannah Love, Samantha Lewis. Missing from picture: Anna Hoover, Kennedi Hawk and Kendyl Hinton.

The girls now turn their focus to next week’s District 9 Championship in Ridgway, where they hope to extend their postseason success. Although the Central Clarion program is only in its second year, it has been over a decade since Clarion-Limestone fielded a girls’ team strong enough to compete at the state level (Clarion Area won districts in 2018 and competed at states) – a goal this talented group is determined to achieve.

Photo courtesy of Christie Datko Top Ten Varsity Boys Medalist 1st -10th (L-R): Ty Fiscus (Brookville), Liam Whitling (Brookville), Jackson Nicewonger (North Clarion), Blace Easlon (North Clarion), Hayden Weber (Central Clarion), Caleb McKalsen (Brookville), Peyton Beck (Moniteau), Noah Weiland (Karns City), Jackson Baker (Central Clarion).

On the Varsity Boys side, the meet brought excitement and shakeups in the expected finishing order. Hayden Weber continued his strong season as the team’s top finisher, placing 5th overall. The highlight of the night came from freshman Jackson Baker, who turned in a breakout performance to take 10th place overall. Baker, who wasn’t even in the Varsity seven earlier this season, has steadily improved each week and is quickly becoming a key contributor for the Wildcats.

Photo by Tiffany Jackson – Wildcat Seniors with their plaques (L-R) Josh Turner, Camden Coleman, Kaley Milliron, Adisen Jackson, Jonas Wilshire, Hayden Weber, Caleb Turner (Missing: Anna Hoover who left before the photo was taken)

Drake Edmonds followed closely in 11th, while Joshua Turner, returning after several weeks off due to injury, showed grit in finishing 13th. Senior Jonas Wilshire rounded out the scoring five with a 15th-place finish, securing the team’s second-place finish overall behind powerhouse Brookville. The boys now set their sights on Districts, eager to match the girls’ success and potentially earn a back-to-back District 9 Championship title of their own.

In the Junior High race, both boys and girls competed together in one event. The Central Clarion Junior High Girls finished second overall, led by 8th grader Brynn Anderson (8th), with teammates Lauren Emings (9th) and Lila Breniman (10th) close behind. The Junior High Boys team took third overall, paced by Liam Moore (11th) and a tight pack finishing 17th through 20th.

With the Junior High season now complete, it was a fitting way to end on a high note—celebrating effort, progress, and teamwork across all levels of the Central Clarion program.

(Congratulations Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Coach Oakes for this article and to Christie Datko and Tiffany Jackson for their photos!!)