Jones, Weisgold grab gold, lead EL to titles

10/29/2025

By Corey Gesford
Different make up, same spots on the podium. The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams are composed differently. While the boys’ team is composed of wily vets who have been battle tested and proven in battle, the girls’squad is young and is quickly etching their name in Warrior lore.
Elk Lake used their own styles to capture both the girls’ and boys’ District II Class A Cross
Country team championships at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds and stood a member at the
top of each individual medal stand.
Kendel Jones won his fourth consecutive District II title and Kendyl Weisgold garnered her first
to lead their respective teams to the championship and a berth to Hershey for the PIAA Championships. For Jones, winning a fourth title got him bragging rights with his own family, which helped aim for a higher standard.
“It feels really good to be a four-time District champion,” said Jones. “Especially since my
siblings Luke and Krista won three district championships, which was an incredible mark to go
for as well. The bar was set high.”
Jones finished in 15:26.7 and believed his familiarity with the course and the support he got
from his teammates were the biggest attributes to this year’s success.
“This year I really didn’t do much different. I just wanted to run my race and do the best I could
for my teammates,” explained Jones. “It was inspiring to know that the top three of the race were my teammates and just knowing they were doing so well was just inspiring for me to do my
best.”
Meanwhile, Weisgold bested the field of 64 runners by 36 seconds with a time of 19:30.7 using a planned out strategy to conquer each phase of the race in a different way.
“Before the race I like to think about each mile,” said Weisgold. “The first half mile I want to get
fast to get a good spot. Then the next two miles I settle in and keep a good pace. The last half
mile I start to pick up the pace and give whatever I have left.”
While her individual goals didn’t supersede her team goals, Weisgold appreciated that he she
was able to cross the finish line ahead of all the other runners.
“Winning Districts was never a goal of mine, but I am so grateful that I got to experience it,” said
Weisgold. “A lot of hard work has been put in to make it happen.”
Boys’ Class A race
Much like the season, Jones’s teammates Cody Adams and Parker Upright were right behind him as the Warriors swept the top three spots to handily win the team title 38-61 over Riverside
and the rest of the field. In addition to the terrific trio Trever Upright medaled with a tenth-place finish while Whalen Kinney finished 22nd to round out the Warrior scoring. Matt Buffington and Brody Crissman finished 34th and 62nd in the field of 93 to further demonstrate Elk Lake’s prominence.
“To be team champions to me means a lot because of how hard we’ve worked all season,”
noted Jones. “It is just satisfying that we can accomplish this achievement.”
For Jones and his teammates, their personal faith plays a lot into their success and
determination.
“I would just point out that just not me, but our whole team are so thankful for this opportunity
and it wouldn’t be possible without the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Jones. “We give him all the
honor and glory for everything we accomplish.”
Other local teams fared well in the standings as Susquehanna, Montrose, and Mountain View
placed third through fifth, while Blue Ridge (9th) and Forest City (12th) in the field of 14 teams.
Susquehanna was led by Maxx Kelly who finished seventh with a time of 16:51. Teammates
Evan Beamer (13th), Matt Schell (18th), and Jeff Benson (27th) finished in the top third of the
field while Colin Herschel (55th), Mason Opalka (57th) and Jack Jones (67th) displayed the
Saber depth.
Montrose was paced by Jamison Meyers who finished 20th with a time of 17:58.6 and was followed by Noah Maynard, Nico Christian, Malachi Baier and Graydon Myers who took places
30-33, and Aiden Hollister who finished 52nd.
Mountain View’s Sean Larkin earned a trip to states with a 17th place finish crossing in a time of
17:44.2 to pace the Eagles while Trey Hummel (23rd) and Collin Pliska (25th) finished in the top
third. CavanRoach (43rd) an Aiden Beavers (45th) placed in the top half and Allister Beavers
and Richter Masters were 49th and 59th respectively.
Blue Ridge’s Paxton Pingarelli also qualified for Hershey with his eighth-place finish while
Giovanni Annesi (36th), Bryce Conklin (40th), Hoban Webb (61st) and Miles Tench (68th)
rounded out the Raider scoring. Derrick Eatorn and Richard Lord placed 71st and 72nd.
Girls’ Class A
Weisgold continued her season-long dominance and avenged a personal loss from the week before when she finished in 19.30.7 more than half a minute sooner than Montrose’s Avery Kerr
who won the final Lackawanna League cluster meet the week before.
“Avery is a great runner. She has motivated me all year,” said Weisgold. “I have had the
opportunity to run against her all year because she is in my cluster.”
Weisgold was joined on the medal stand by teammates Madison Kerr, who continued her late
season surge and finished third, along with Kylee Pond who placed tenth and Azlyn Gazzillo
who finished 13th. Faith Tracy finished out the Lady Warrior scoring placing 18th and alternate
Chelsea Grosvenor finished 27th to put all six runners in the top half of the 64 racer field.
“Winning Districts as a team is such a great experience,” explained Weisgold. “Every girl has
worked so hard for it, and I am so thankful I get to be a part of this team, with these girls.”
Led by Avery Kerr, Montrose had the most girls in the top 10 as Kerr finished second with a time
of 20:06.6 and was joined by Addison Stephens who placed fifth and Ava Rebello who was
eighth. Lauren Hollister and Emma Geertgens finished 40th and 41st to round out the Lady
Meteor scoring. Addison Sena was just behind them at 47th.
Mountain View also had a strong showing led by state qualifier Corinne Flynn who finished 14th
in a time of 21:40.4 as all five Lady Eagles finished in the top 35. Audrey Anderson placed 21st
and was followed by Amber Price (25th), Anya Curtis (33rd), and Emma Radford (35th).
Blue Ridge also had a state qualifier when Trinity Lord came in at 16th place in a time of 22:22.6. Alexis Darrow (32nd), Ella Woodruff (36th), Ava Ksenich (38th), and Payton Dvorshock (48th) rounded out the Lady Raider scoring. Addison Welch and Sophia Lane also ran finishing
52nd and 59th.
While Susquehanna could not compete in the team championships, the Lady Sabers will have
representation in Hershey as Kiera Burke continued her fine Sophomore season with a seventh-place finish, crossing the line at 21:15.4. MaKenzie Benedict (42nd) and Kendra Meagley (64th) also competed for the Lady Sabers.