Quaker Valley girls gaining momentum after MAC victory

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 11:00 PM

The Quaker Valley girls cross country team was tired, but did not show it in the Midwestern Athletic Conference championship meet Oct. 10 at Brush Creek Park in Beaver County.

The Quakers took three of the top four places and finished first of 16 teams.

“We got out of MACs what we were looking for,” coach Dave Noyes said. “The girls did a nice job of tightening the top-three pack.”

Sophomore Annie Wicker (20 minutes, 28 seconds) placed second, senior Lucie Kubinski (20:59) was third and senior Audrey Durbin (21:12) was fourth.

Seniors Emma Moul (22:50) and Allison Lenhardt (22:56) stayed close together, finishing 18th and 19th, respectively.

Noyes said the Quakers ran on tired legs in the midst of a difficult training block. Quaker Valley, which went undefeated in Section 2-AA, will be seeking its fourth consecutive WPIAL title and its seventh since 2009 in the WPIAL Class AA championship meet Oct. 26.

“We're all really excited for WPIALs and we're going to use the next couple of weeks to get our strength back,” Wicker said.

Lenhardt expects Moul and herself to improve.

“When the weather cools down, we will be ready to give it our all,” Lenhardt said.

The Quakers boys team placed fifth of 22 teams — about where it expected, said Noyes, who guides that squad (8-2 in the section) as well.

Noyes said sophomore Daniel Ford (18:16) placed seventh.

“I think he is in a good position for a nice finish at the WPIAL race,” Noyes said.

Seniors Ryan Weicht (19:03) and Henry Guild (19:04) came in 19th and 20th. Seniors Tilman Cooper and Jake Musial also finished.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley