Nazareth’s Mastromonaco, Palmerton’s Hibell lead way
The story of Gio Mastromonaco’s rapid ascent from ice hockey prospect to cross country standout is an unlikely one.
Until about 16 months ago, Mastromonaco spent not one second of his time thinking about cross country. A student-athlete at Nazareth, his No. 1 hobby was playing hockey and his second-favorite sport was track and field.
On Wednesday afternoon Mastromonaco, a senior, mastered his new love, cross country, by capturing the District 11 Class 3A boys title in 16 minutes. He powered to the finish line at DeSales University ahead of last year’s champ, Paul Abeln of Parkland, who secured second in 16:23.
“I didn’t expect this at all when I joined the cross country team,” said Mastromonaco, who credited Blue Eagles coach Ken Rolek for coaxing him to come out for the team.
“Really, I was just coming out for cross country to get into better shape for track. But it turned into a different experience. And I’ve really loved it.”
Mastromonaco ran the fastest winning time in the District 11 races on the warm afternoon.
Palmerton’s Connor Hibell, the Colonial League champion, claimed the Class 2A crown in 16:47, while Kolin Long of Minersville prevailed in 1A in 17:07.
Mastromonaco will enter next weekend’s PIAA championships with two Eastern Pennsylvania Conference titles and the district gold to his name. Mastromonaco placed second last year at districts, coming up just short in a sprint with Abeln after he broke a bone in his leg about 200 meters from the finish line.
“Ever since last season, breaking my leg in this race, it’s been my goal to win districts,” he said. “It’s always a good race against Paul. It’s great competition.”
Now Mastromonaco, who is considering several Division I offers to run cross country in college, will get to experience the state meet on the Parkview course in Hershey. His goal, he said, is to medal with a top-25 finish.
“I can’t wait,” Mastromonaco said. “I know it’s a hilly course and I think most of the first mile is downhill. I’ll try to get off quick and see how it goes.”
Abeln secured second place and Freedom’s Dylan Boyle took third in 16:36.
Parkland repeated as the 3A team champ with 40 points. Easton (55 points) also qualified for the PIAA race with a secondplace effort.
An up-and-comer, Hibell continued his strong sophomore season. Hibell crossed the line 29 seconds ahead of Allentown Central Catholic’s Duke Ebert, who clocked a 17:16. Ebert took third and Hibell fourth at last year’s district race.
Hibell won each of his Colonial League regular-season races before controlling the league’s postseason race from start to finish.
“My main plan, I really wasn’t supposed to get that much of a lead at the beginning,” he said. “But I got it anyway and I just held it the rest of the way.
“I wasn’t feeling too well in the second mile, but I pulled through. The heat didn’t affect me too much, (but) I just didn’t feel right.”
The Blue Bomber underclassman said he didn’t expect to dominate his league and district classification this year.
“I definitely didn’t,” Hibell said, “but it’s a pretty cool thing.”
The Class 2A team champ was also perhaps a slight surprise.
Central Catholic, coached by Dave Ackerman, totaled 74 points to take the title while Tamaqua of the Schuylkill League settled for second with 94. Colonial champ Wilson was third with 103.
The PIAA Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Nov. 4, at the Parkview Course in Hershey.