Last Saturday, the Bellwood-Antis cross country team wrapped up a wildly successful season when Blake Pennington, Julie Kraft, Martin Fatzinger and Bryce Hollenbach competed in the PIAA state meet in Hershey. This was the first time that the team has sent 4 runners to states.

The course at Hershey was “super challenging,” said Fatzinger. The course consisted of many hills and rough terrain, but with each up-hill there were down-hills. Almost every B-A runner was able to take advantage of the downhill portions of the course.

Hollenbach had an outstanding day and was able to grab himself an 88th place finish with a time of 18:37. Bryce had himself a very good first year running cross-country with his overall PR being a 17:51, close to B-A’s school record.

Fatzinger also had a good day considering the roughness of the course, placing 168th place with a time of 19:49. Overall Martin was a 4-year runner for the Blue Devils with a personal best time of 18:09.

“I felt very excited to go with my teammates and was anxious to run. I wasn’t the happiest with how I did or what time I ran , but it was all about the opportunity to compete in Hershey,” said Fatzinger

On the girls side, both Pennington and Kraft were able to return to states this year placing  74th and 142nd, respectfully.

Pennington ran a 22:16 and Kraft was able to run a 23:18.

“This weekend was an amazing experience. The course is a very challenging one and the competition this year was insane, but I’m thankful for the way everything worked out,” said Pennington.

Overall the boys and girls teams had a very impressive year with multiple medal winners, state placers and a lot of personal records. Even after losing impactful seniors like Hollenbach and Fatzinger on the boys side and Chloe Stoltzfus for the girls, the teams are looking to build from the season and go further next fall.