Cameron Gallagher was one of 3 of B-A runners who qualified for the PIAA cross country championships with strong finishes at the District 6 1A meet last Saturday at Big Valley.
He was joined by sophomores Blake Pennington and Julie Kraft, who had big races for the girls team. Each runner had a top-10 finish.
The group will run in Hershey this Saturday.
“We are thrilled for Cameron, Julie, and Blake to compete at states on Saturday,” said cross country coach Jennifer Soisson. “We set a variety of big goals throughout the season, and it’s been exciting to watch everything come together. ”
Gallagher’s time was 18.47, good enough for 10th overall in the 1A race.
”I never expected to qualify this year,” Gallagher said, who missed a couple meets with injury earlier this season. “I’ve had so many setbacks during the season. To qualify for states is unbelievable.”
Gallagher said extra work was the key to his success.
”I improved by putting in a bit more effort. I started going to all the optional practices and even running on my own,” he said.
Coach Soisson said Gallagher has been a strong runner all season.
“He shows up to practice focused and is a true competitor on race day,” she said.
In the girl’s 1A race, Kraft was 7th with a time of 20:59, while Pennington finished 10th in 21:19.
“It was really fun,” said Kraft. “I like flat courses better than hilly courses and theirs was flat.”
Pennington expressed gratitude, not only for her success but for the winning program B-A has established.
“I’m proud of the success we’ve had and all the work Coach Jen has put into it. It’s exciting. I love running,” she said.
Coach Soisson said the girls shine as much with their positive personalities as they do with their talent on the trail.
“Blake and Julie are awesome teammates. They push each other at practice and during meets,” Coach Soisson said. “They’re always encouraging others. They both love to run and it shows on race day.”
As a team, the Lady Devils just missed on a trip to states, placing third, just one point behind second-place Forest Hills. The top 2 teams go to the PIAA meet.
