VanEtten leads Warriors to 2nd place

BY SCOTT WALSH, Times-Shamrock Writer

Jenny VanEtten took third place overall in the District II Class AA girls’ championship race held on her home course in Dimock on Wednesday to pace the Warriors to a berth to the PIAA State Championship.

VanEtten followed a one-two punch from Holy Redeemer’s Marissa Durako, 19:06, and Rachel Sowinski, 19:43, to finish in third at 20:26.

Elk Lake coach Will Squier felt fortunate that Elk Lake was able to finish second in the team standings to Holy Redeemer and earn a trip to states.

“I wouldn’t say this was one of our best races. In fact, I’d say it was probably one of our

worst, looking at the times, the places and the spread,” Squier said.

Elk Lake junior Lainey Bedell, who usually is the Lady Warriors’ No. 4 runner, was their second across the line Wednesday in 10th place in 21:19.

Kirsten Hollister (12th), Maria Trowbridge (16th), Abby Zdancewicz (20th) and Emily Williams (21st) rounded things out for Elk Lake.

Still, the Lady Warriors finished second at districts behind Holy Redeemer last year. Then, they went to Hershey the following week and captured the state title.

“It’s familiar ground. We’ve been here before,” Squier said. “Fortunately, we were good enough in our worst race to finish second and go to states. So we get another chance.”

Five other Lackawanna League runners also get the opportunity to go to the PIAA Championships.

Montrose qualified sophomores Samantha Bennici (7th-21:09) and Allison Lewis (13th-21:31). Blue Ridge’s Casey Purdum (15th-21:36) of Blue Ridge and Ivy Christensen (18th-21:39) from Susquehanna also qualified.

The top district finisher from Mountain View was Kelly Purdy in 34th place overall at 23:11. Finishing tops for Forest City was Kathy Cook in 61st place at 24:53. Both missed the cut for states.

GIRLS’ AA RACE

Team Scores: 1-Holy Redeemer (HR) 40; 2-Elk Lake (EL) 58; 3-Lake-Lehman (LL) 105; 4-Montrose (MON) 130; 5-Hanover Area (HAN) 151; 6-Holy Cross (HR) 165; 7-Wyoming Seminary (SEM) 193; 8-Mountain View (MtV) 258; 9-Mid Valley (MV) 258; 10-Susquehanna Community (SUS) 293; 11-MMI Prep (MMI) 299; 12-Dunmore (DUN) 315; 13-Northwest (NW) 340; 14-Riverside (RIV) 342; 15-E.L. Meyers (MEY) 363; 16-Lackawanna Trail (LT) 370.

1-Marissa Durako (HR), 19:06

2-Rachel Sowinski (HR), 19:43

3-Jenny VanEtten (EL), 20:26

4-Amy Viti (HAN), 21:00

5-Kaylee Hillard (LL), 21:04

6-Brianne Ligotski (HR), 21:08

7-Samantha Bennici (MON), 21:09

8-Emily Sutton (LL), 21:11

9-Nicole Kobylanski (MV), 21:12

10-Lainey Bedell (EL), 21:19

12-Kirsten Hollister (EL), 21:19

13-Allison Lewis (MON), 21:31

15-Casey Purdum (BR), 21:36

16-Maria Trowbridge (EL), 21:37

18-Ivy Christensen (SUS), 21:39

20-Abby Zdancewicz (EL), 21:49

21-Emily Williams (EL), 22:09

25-Angela Russell (MON), 22:30

28-Lauren Whitney (BR), 22:49

30-Emma Washo (MON), 22:58

34-Kelly Purdy (MtV), 23:11

36-Mikayla Hargett (SUS), 23:19

41-Kellie Grosvenor (EL), 23:44

47-Alix Taylor (MtV), 24:00

61-Cathy Cook (FC), 24:53

62-Deidra Congdon (MtV), 24:57

64-Emily Blachek (MON), 25:14

66-Katie Cure (MtV), 25:21

67-Megan Getz (MtV), 25:31

71-Stephanie Virbitsky (MtV), 25:42

72-Courtney Kimmell (MON), 25:43

74-Charlotte Hall (BR), 25:44

79-Katie Cramer (BR), 26:25

80-Mashawna Hargett (SUS), 26:34

83-Emily Day (SUS), 26:42

84-Rachel Robinson (MON), 27:02

90-Victoria Sterling (MtV), 28:04

103-Kayla Swartz (SUS), 29:51

108-Abigail Day (SUS), 34:30

109-Maria Bostjanic (FC), 35:21