Falcons, Vikings and Indians Clash in Cross-Country

The rolling hills and plateaus that predominate Pottsgrove's athletic fields was the site for a three-way clash that could set the pace for the PAC 10 boy's cross-country season. Coach Larry Rechtin's harriers ran a technical race to knock off both visitors, beating Perk Valley 20-38 and Upper Perk 20-39. The Vikings defeated the Indians, 22-33.

The meet was an important one, particularly for Pottsgrove.

"This was a big one - real big," Rechtin said. "We lost last week to Methacton, so if we had dropped two today we'd have been really in trouble. Upper Perk and Perk Valley are very good teams. Perk Valley packs their runners very tightly together, and we're very nervous about them."

The Falcons had nothing to be nervous about, utilizing that very same pack tactic for the sweep. Cross-country is scored using the top five runner's placements for each team. While claiming first place certainly helps that goal, a close grouping of runners is the best way to win a meet.

Upper Perk's Avery Scripture led all runners, finishing the 5k course first in 17:11, almost a half minute ahead of the field. He was followed by Perk Valley's Sean Hoagan, who finished in 17:32. Pottsgrove than ran an entire pack of five across the line, before either team's second runner could cross. Led by Ian Yanusko (18:03), the tightly grouped bunch consisted of Josh Toth (18:05), Mike Rossi (18:07), Morgan Moonan (18:08) and Evan Cook (18:13).

Getting all of their scoring runners to finish before Upper Perk or Perk Valley could mount an offensive was more than Rechtin expected.

"I knew that the Upper Perk runner … we couldn't catch him. But if the No. 1 Perk Valley runner got away from us, than that was the goal," Rechtin said. "We didn't expect to fit that many that close together, but the kids ran great."

A statement win for the Falcons, Rechtin is proud of his boy's performance. "Our boys really performed well," Rechtin said. "The kids stepped up in a big race. That's what good teams do. Big time efforts in big time races."

The girls covered the same 5k course as the boys, with Upper Perkiomen coming out on top. A more tightly contested race, Perk Valley and Upper Perk traded off runners and battled down the chute to the wire. In the end, the Indians come up with the win, defeating Perk Valley 24-32 and Pottsgrove 15-34. The Vikings beat the Falcons 15-50.

Perk Valley's Kim Nolan took third overall, finishing in 21:36. Jen Daniels was second for the Vikings, fifth overall in 22:20. Mallory Snyder (22:31) and Cassidy Nagle (22:34) rounded out the top three for PV. Pottsgrove's Kelly Lloyd was first for the Falcons, finishing in 23:51 for 13th place.

The Indians claimed first as well in the girl's race, as Amanda Long broke the tape in 21:06. Her teammate Lydia Keiper finished right behind her in 21:12.