Rams girls, Knights boys start fast
Pennridge’s Gordon happy to be back, wins in 19:41
TOWAMENCIN » Pennridge’s Ashley Gordon came flying down the final stretch, savoring the final few strides on a particularly satisfying afternoon of racing.
“It’s great to just be competing again,” the Ram senior said with a smile after crossing the line first in the dual meet with rival North Penn. “It’s been like six months since we’ve been able to get on that line and just compete.
“Racing is a different animal, compared to time trials and stuff. So it felt really good to be running again. And I’m so proud of my team.”
Gordon led the Rams to a 23-32 victory over the Knights and the North Penn boys packed their way to a commanding 20-38 win over Pennridge in the Suburban One League Colonial Division opener.
“We came out here and people stepped up and showed what they’re gonna do this season,” said Gordon, headed for Notre Dame next year. “And I think we have a really good chance to do something.”
FRONTRUNNERS» Gordon was all by herself, winning in 19 minutes, 41 seconds. Jaime Diedel crossed second for the Knights, and then
Pennridge’s Nora Ritting and Maria Lera-Lozano pushed to third and fourth to help key the win.
Lera-Lozano and Kendall Posey (eighth) are freshmen runners for the Rams.
“What a great job they did,” Rams coach Bill Smith said. “They have been working hard, and when the lights went on, they were ready to go. And (Nora Ritting) is a sophomore who never ran before. So we had three in the top five where this was their first cross country race.
“And that’s why I knew we’d be better this year. Because our depth is different and our com
petitors are different. So we’re pretty excited. You know it’s gonna be tough going against North Penn. They had some good people coming back. But we’re a much different team than we were last year. You beat North Penn, it’s a big deal to us.”
Gordon has been a splendid addition — she ran as a freshman but played soccer the past two seasons in the fall. She also stands out
on the basketball court and runs in the spring for Pennridge.
“She ran indoor track last year and was spectacular, and then unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to run in the spring,” Smith said. “She is 100 percent in.” FAST START » Lera-Lozano pulled away in the boys race, crossing first with the top time of the day, 16:19.
“He is so smooth,” Rams coach Terry Permar said.
Said Lera-Lozano of the terrain: “The North Penn kids really pushed me in the beginning. It’s a nice course, flat. But there are
a lot of paved parts, so our team pretty much didn’t wear spikes — either spikes with plugs with them or just sneakers.”
PACK ATTACK » The Knight boys’ pack was almost impossible to crack, led by Gavin Zanck.
NP took five straight spots from second to sixth.
“Nice to get to see them get back out there,” Knights coach Mike Werner said. “Not a bad start. We had a fairly tight pack.
“It was a hot day, certainly the hottest day we’ve had all season. These kids were so excited to race today, especially after not having a spring season. It could have been 150 degrees today and they would have been happy to be racing.”
Girls Cross Country
PENNRIDGE 23, NORTH PENN 32
1. Ashley Gordon (P) 19:41; 2. Jaime Diedel (NP) 21:07; 3. Nora Ritting (P) 21:14; 4. Maria Lera-Lozano (P) 21:24; 5. Rachael Storm (NP) 21:41; 6. Meghan Gambogi (NP) 21:44; 7. Megan Lysek-Hagy (P) 22:06; 8. Kendall Posey (P) 22:14; 9. Laura Liebiger (NP) 22:41; 10. Julia Shin (NP) 22:53.
Boys Cross Country
1. Diego Lera-Lozano (P) 16:19; 2. Gavin Zanck (NP) 17:08; 3. Karl Schafstellar (NP) 17:08; 4. Ian Kelly (NP) 17:09; 5. Colin Fisher (NP) 17:26; 6. Sean Fisher (NP) 17:37; 7. Terence Grenda (P) 17:52;
8. Jack Shive (NP) 18:01; 9. Mason Nyce (P) 18:08; 10. Ryan Martin (P) 18:10.