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Pioneers Finish Fourth in PIAA Cross Country

Lampeter-Strasburg’s Colin Whitaker earned a sixth place medal in the PIAA Championships held Saturday, November 6 in Hershey.

BY MONA STEINHAUER

In their biggest race of the season, Lampeter-Strasburg’s boys cross country team made history. On Saturday, November 6, at the Parkview Course near the Giant Center, the boys competed in the PIAA Championships. They are the first cross country team in L-S history to do so and their response to the challenge was a fourth-place finish.

Led by Colin Whitaker’s sixth place medal effort (16:22), the Pioneers were just one point behind third place Northwestern Lehigh. Lewisburg Area High School ran away with the AA team title with five runners in the top 26 for 87 team points. Last year, as a freshman, Whitaker placed 12th overall in 17:18.

Also placing for the Pioneers were juniors Ben Devine (31st, 17:16.4) and Parker Stoner (37th, 17:21.4). Adrian Elia clocked a 17:43.9 for 64th place while Luka Vranich (110th, 18:11.2), and David Pritchard (165th, 18:38.6) rounded out the top five. Luke Smith settled for 190th in 19:06.5.

“This was the first time for everyone, other than Colin, to compete in the state championships,” said head coach Mari Cunningham. “We had an invitational at Hershey during the season, so we had run on the course then, but not for states. This is a challenging course, and a little long, so our times are a bit slower than last week’s district times.”

The boys sat in eighth place at the mile mark but slowly moved up and at one point were ahead of Northwestern. A total of 19 teams and 236 individuals competed.

“Colin worked hard the whole race,” said Cunningham. “He moved up from a big pack in the first part of the race, moved to fourth and then held a good spot to be in sixth for most of the race.”

Whitaker’s time was faster than any other LancasterLebanon League runner in both districts and states. Hempfield’s Aidan Hodge, who beat Whitaker for the L-L League title, was 20th in the AAA race with a 16:32.

“Colin ran a 15:56 at the Ben Blouser Invitational at Big Spring earlier this year,” said Cunningham of her sophomore’s best time. “His district time on the same course, but this time muddy and slippery, was a 15:58.”

“Qualifying as a team for states is an accomplishment and the boys took it seriously,” added Cunningham. “They were excited for the opportunity and ran well, and they all improved their times from the same course earlier in the season.”

Their fourth-place finish wraps up a stellar season. They collected their fourth section title, placed third at the league meet (first AA team) and went on to win the district championship. “In four years, they have only had one regular season loss,” Cunningham noted.

For their efforts this season, Whitaker, Devine, Stoner, Elia and Vranich are all Section Two First Team allstars.

The lone representative for the girls’ team was Audrey Magagna. The junior placed 74th overall in 21:20.

“Audrey’s PR was a 21:10 at Northern Lebanon so her 21:20 at Hershey is a great time,” said Cunningham. “She earned medals in both leagues and districts, so she peaked at the end of the season and finished well.”

Magagna becomes the first Lady Pioneer to compete in the state meet since Justine Barr, who competed in 2007 and before that, Emily Kruger in 2003.

FIELD HOCKEY

AWARD WINNERS

The Pioneers’ field hockey team officially wrapped up the 2021 season with the recognition of a handful of award winners. Receiving the 2020 Keith Waldman - Optimal Performance Associates / NFHCA High School National Academic Squad were seniors Emaly Garrett and Keiva Middleton, who were also L-L League academic all-stars, and juniors Breigh Bauer, Kara Scranton, Rowan Kimmell, Ally Raub, Maggie Swarr, Brooke Zuber, and Avery Brown.

The L-L League Field Hockey Coaches Association also recognized several players for their accomplishments on the field. Scranton was a Section Two honorable mention all-star as a back, Middleton was a Second Team all-star as a midfielder, Swarr and Tori Heiserman were First Team all-stars as a back and forward, respectively.

Head coach Katrina Swarr and her staff also recognized individuals for their standout efforts this season.

Scholar athletes were Audrey O’Neil, Swarr and Garrett.

Rookie of the Year was Breigh Bauer.

Pioneer Award winners were Kiera Knapp and Ally Raub for exhibiting values that create a solid program and represent the heart of a true player. These players are humble and unassuming yet are 100% team players.

Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, who recorded 14 defensive saves and anchored the backfield was Maggie Swarr.

Offensive Player of the Year, Marissa Rice, led the team in assists with seven and also scored five goals.

And finally, the Player of the Year award went to Emaly Garrett, “who does not expect recognition, but works for the betterment of the team, and likes to have fun doing it,” said Swarr.

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Zimmerman’s Hardware

submitted photos

Members of Lampeter-Strasburg’s fourth place state championship team are (left to right): Luke Smith, Ben Devine, Luka Vranich, Colin Whitaker, Owen Witmer, Adrian Elia, Riley Wissler, David Pritchard, and Parker Stoner. Aubrey Magagna represented the Lady Pioneers with a 74th place finish in the PIAA Championships held Saturday, November 6 in Hershey.