BY JOHN LUND
Times-Shamrock Writer
For the fifth straight year, the Elk Lake School District in Dimock will host the District II Varsity Cross Country Championship on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The early autumn warm weather has kept the course in great condition, something that Elk Lake cross country head coach Will Squier hopes will continue into next week.
“I think it’s going to be good,” Squier said in regards to the course. “It’s in great shape right now and I hope it stays that way.”
The 3.1-mile course provided great running conditions on a chilly fall day at last years district meet, in which both the Ell Lake boys’ and girls’ teams earned second place finishes and a trip to the state meet in Hershey Class A, and the Tunkhannock boys’ team took home the championship in Class AA.
This year’s meet will hold its usually eight races, with teams split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ divisions.
The top seven runners must compete in the ‘A’ race in both the boys’ and girls’ races, and are the only runners who may qualify for states.
Additional runners must be entered into the combined ‘B’ race, in which boys and girls will line up at the starting line at the same time., with girls starting 2-3 minutes after the boys.
The ChampionChip Timing System, provided by Runners High, will be used for the district meet, with disposable chips attached to each runner’s shoe or spike to tally finishing times.
A FinishLynx camera system will also be used as backup for review purposes only.
Plaques will be awarded to the top team and 10 individual medals for the winning teams in all races.
The number of teams and individuals who qualify for the state championship in Class A and Class AA is two teams, plus 10 non-team individuals.
Next year, Girls’ Class A schools will qualify only one team plus five individuals.
The school district has already received some donations, but is still accepting help from sponsors and volunteers to help offset costs.
The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center will be running a covered concession stand behind the school. Bleachers will also be set up to allow spectators a better view of the action.
Golf carts will also be in use throughout the day to help transport spectators.
Squier has also opened up the course for any opposing teams who would like to designate a time for a practice run. Teams will also be allowed to tour the course on the day of the race from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
When the meet is over, results will be posted at www.runhigh.com and on the Dist. II website at www.piaa2.org/.
The schedule of races for Oct. 22 is as follows:
• Girls’ varsity Class A, 11:20 a.m. (15 medals).
• Girls’ varsity Class AA, noon (20 medals).
• Girls’ varsity Class AAA, 12:40 p.m. (10 medals).
• Boys’ varsity Class A, 1:20 p.m. (15 medals).
• Boys’ varsity Class AA, 2 p.m. (20 medals).
• Boys’ varsity Class AAA, 2:40 p.m. (10 medals).
• Boys’ and Girls’ ‘B’ Division, 3:20 p.m. (no medals).
• Awards will follow at 4 p.m. on the bleachers in front of the Administration tent.
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