EL putting final touches on district prep

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

ElkLakeSchool Districtwill again host the PIAA District II cross country championships at its Dimock campus on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and the school is putting the finishing touches on getting ready for the event.

Because of ongoing construction to a new Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center building currently taking place where the crowd gathered at the 2010 championships, Elk Lake cross country coach Will Squier said there will be a few minor adjustments.

“We will be headquartering on the south end of the campus,” Squier said.

The starting line will be on the southern end of the campus behind the elementary center near a recently constructed pavilion.

“The starting line will be the same, but the finish line will be on the southern end where the crowd will gather,” Squier said.

Squier said that the team tents will stay be set up near the access road by the high school track, however, buses will be brought in on the opposite side of the campus.

As for Elk Lake’s running course itself, despite changing up the start and finish lines, the course will be nearly identical to last year.

Because of recent heavy rains blanketing the region, Squier said the course will need a little bit of work to be in top shape for the big event.

And in the meantime, Squier said that he has been keeping runners off of it in order to dry out the ground.

“I’ve had the runners in other places,” Squier said. “I’m trying to eliminating the muddy spots.”

Squier said thatElkLakesecured the hosting duties this year after PIAA, along with schools who attended in 2010, were happy with the way things turned out last year.

“PIAA was pretty happy with the way things went last year,” Squier said. “And other schools that attended were pretty content with it.”

As far as the Elk Lake team, the Lady Warriors are currently unbeaten on the season with a record of 18-0, while the boys’ team is 14-4 on the season.

Squier said he believes the team is right where it needs to be, and that the younger runners on his squad are progressing nicely.

“We’ve been working really hard, and I think this team has a good shot of making another appearance at the state meet,” Squier said.

On the day of the race, the boys’ varsity AAA race will take place at12 p.m., followed by the boys’ varsity AA race at12:45 p.m.The girls’ AAA race will begin at1:30 p.m., followed by the girls’ varsity AA race at2:15 p.m.A boys’ and girls’ “B” Division race will then take place at3 p.m.with awards to follow at4 p.m.