Ben Bickerton, cross country
A high school “bucket list” can pass quickly, and Southmoreland senior Ben Bickerton clearly understands that.
“I’m excited to be leaving school soon, but it seems like last year was just my freshman year. Time has gone by really quickly,” he said.
Bickerton is Southmoreland’s fall sports male selection in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program. A son of Dawn and Cathy Bickerton of Scottdale, Bickerton has three siblings; Jack, a 2015 SHS graduate, and two sisters, junior Claudia, and freshman Ruby.
Bickerton wants to leave Southmoreland as one of its elite cross country and track contenders. He achieved part of that goal in the Scotties’ next to last home meet when he broke the school’s cross country course record by 11 seconds.
That mark was held by 1996 graduate Chris Dugan, who earned multiple gold medals in track and cross country at SHS, went on to become a two-time All-American runner at North Carolina State, and was a member of the WPIAL’s inaugural Hall of Fame Class.
Dugan has communicated with Bickerton and provided numerous running tips. He was among the first to congratulate the new record holder.
“(Dugan) wanted me to get it,” Bickerton said. “To beat his record is unbelievable every time I think about it.”
After finishing fifth in the WPIAL cross country meet at Slippery Rick last year, Bickerton was slowed by an injury and missed most of the 2015 track and field season. He has trained especially hard to prepare for the upcoming WPIAL and PIAA cross country meets, and finished second in the WCCA Cross Country Championships after taking the title in 2014.
“I’ve trained all summer for this,” Bickerton said. “Zach Skolnekovich of Quaker Valley is the WPIAL Class AA champion. I believe my training should help me to catch him on the last mile before he uses his kick.”
Bickerton also has thought about the possibility of sophomore Kaylee Farino winning the girls Class AA WPIAL event and both Scottie runners taking the gold. “I definitely think she has it in her and if she stays motivated she could do well this year.”
After graduation, Bickerton plans to continue his running career on a near full scholarship at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, where he will major in biology with interests in clinical and laboratory science. He eventually hopes to take his career to a prestigious hospital.
Balancing studies, running, and a part-time job at a local fast food restaurant keeps Bickerton busy.
“Whenever I run and stretch (daily), it takes about 1½ hours until I get home to eat,” he said. “It’s about 6 or 7 p.m. before I start my homework and I’m often up late.”
Bickerton’s bucket list won’t end when the cross country season ends. He wants to break Dugan’s school records in the 1,600 and 3,200 during the track & field season.
“(Dugan) didn’t have to help me, but it’s his personality, and he said I remind him of when he used to run and he wanted to help me as much as possible.”
Amidst rumors that long-time cross country coach and former track coach Don Gilpin will be stepping aside after this season, Bickerton said he also wants to make the season special for his coach.
“(Gilpin) has had some good runners. It would be pretty cool that I might be his last one.”