Makaila Banka defended her individual title and the Bradford Lady Owls won the team title for the second year in a row at the 11th annual Bradford Cross Country Invitational on Saturday.
Bradford tallied 29 first-place points. Elk County Catholic was second with 51 points. Punxsutawney was third with 66 points.
“We ran very well after a long week of meets and practices,” BAHS coach Mark Kelley said. “This is a tough course and many of the girls improved from Tuesday.”
Banka won for the second year in a row, going stride for stride with Ridgway’s Rachel Guyer the entire race for a time of 20:34. Guyer was second in 20:37.
“Makaila continues to have an excellent year,” Kelley noted. “She is so disciplined and focused during races. Winning back-to-back titles is tough and she joins some elite company with that distinction.”
Her time was a personal best and number four all-time for juniors and the 21st fastest time on the GGB course. Guyer’s time was good enough for 23rd fastest time.
Riley Crissman was third in 21:25.
“Riley ran fantastic,” Kelley added. “She had to run most of the race by herself as she had distanced the fourth-place runner. She is running very well right now and very consistent.”
Morgan Whitlow was seventh in 22:45, her best race on the GGB course and only five seconds from her personal best from districts last year. Whitlow continually moved up throughout the race and finished very well passing two runners in the last 200 meters.
“Her improvement is great for the team,” Kelley stated.
Angel Hutchings was 16th in 23:59, her best race of the year.
Amanda Little was 17th in 24:07, a personal best and an improvement from Tuesday. This was her first time in the scoring top five.
“Amanda has really impressed me the last few meets but especially on Saturday,” Kelley said.
Emily Little was 21st in 24:38, Emily Reams 37th in 27:36 and Cheyenne Armstrong 41st in 28:49.
“This was a good day for us,” Kelley concluded. “Sarah injured her ankle on a run on Wednesday and wasn’t able to run so we were down our number three runner but the girls behind her ran great to step up. I’m proud of all the girls for their races today.”
Bradford races at Brookville on Tuesday against the Raiders and Punxsutawney.
Fretz raced to victory in the middle school competition with 15 points.
Oswayo Valley was second with 49 points. The top 20 finishers medaled.
Fretz’s Shea Crissman won the race in 11:20.
Bethany Bednez was second (11:29) and Gretchen Henneman fifth (12:18). Conner Gracie-Dalton was sixth (12:23), Clare Mulcahy seventh (12:27), Bailey Fedak eighth (12:29), Brianna Keller 10th (12:37), Tacoma Weaver 11th (12:40), Emmaline Drummond (14th 13:01), Alexandra Safran 16th (13:15), Haleigh Reid 19th (13:29) and Danielle Abbott 21st (14:00).
“The girls ran a great race, taking eight of the first 11 spots,” Fretz coach Larry Stillman said.
“Shea and Bethany dominated the race and Gretchen, Conner, Clare, Bailey, Brianna and Tacoma were all within 22 seconds of each other. Emmaline, Alexandra, Haleigh and Danielle also ran well and improved.
“Coach Murray, coach Crissman and I are pleased with both teams’ efforts but we have to keep focused on improving each week.”
