Cross Country

“Pennsylvania has a tremendous amount of talented runners which is part of what makes the state meet so special; we are really proud that we can be a part of that and have athletes that are able to compete at that level.”

Two other Whippet seniors finished in the top 30 in the boys’ race - Declan Rymer (18th, 16:48) and Holden Betz (27th, 17:02). Interestingly, earlier this fall, Rymer edged out Barnhill by the narrowest of margins for the ChesMont boys’ cross country championship individual title.

“Aiden, Declan and Holden continued what have been stellar careers at Downingtown West, with another impressive season of cross country, culminating in their hard-fought race today,” said Burns.

All of the top five Downingtown West boys’ runners at Hershey were seniors, including Henry Debuque (60th place, 17:37) and Nick Piergiovanni (82nd, 18:21). Senior Zack Yaros was 92nd (18:39) and junior Dev Jijilal placed 110th (19:40).

The West Chester Henderson girls had three of the top 20 runners at the girls Class AAA race, and finished third in the girls team competition, with 75 points, behind champion North Allegheny (59) and State College (73).

The top Warrior girl was junior Jenna Mulhern, who finished in sixth place, with a time of 19:20. The individual winner was Moon Area junior Mia Cochran (18:28), the defending champion. Earlier this fall, Mulhern won her third consecutive Ches-Mont cross country championship, and in the past three PIAA state cross country championships has finished first (as a freshman), third (last year) and sixth.

Other top Warrior girls were senior Liesl Scherrer (17th, 19:57) and sophomore Weronica Ziemniak, (19th, 19:59). Henderson senior Caroline Miller was 67th (21:40) and right behind her was Warrior junior Amanda Kelly (68th, 21:42). Warrior senior Gabby Coronia was 75th (22:04) and Henderson freshman Natalie Kraus placed 92nd (23:35).

Other top Chester County finishers at the PIAA cross country state championships were as follows:

Unionville senior Ethan McIntyre finished 10th in the boys Class AAA race, with a clocking of 16:45.

West Chester Henderson senior Jack Davidson finished 31st in the Class AAA boys’ race with a time of 17:07. Warrior junior Gavin Brophy was 69th (17:55).

Downingtown East had a pair of juniors in the Class AAA boys’ race - Caiden Leen (36th, 17:12) and Brendan Flynn (63rd, 17:42).

Great Valley had a pair of seniors in the Class AAA boys’ race - Michael Search (39th, 17:14) and Matthew Dietrick (48th, 17:26).

Avon Grove junior Annika Pfaff finished 36th in the Class AAA girls race with a clocking of 20:35.

Downingtown West sophomore Carolyn Tarpley was 49th in the girls Class AAA race, with a clocking of 21:09.

West Chester East junior Sonia Piombino placed 46th in the Class AAA girls’ race with a time of 21:02.

Bishop Shanahan senior Ethan Perry finished 67th overall in the Boys Class AA race, with a clocking of 18:24.

Devon Prep finished 11th in the Boys Class A race, led by junior Keaton Rush, who finished 65th overall with a clocking of 18:59.