Steeber, Walsh finish 1-2 to lead Leps to team title
Brooklyn Steeber already had two top-five finishes in her career at the Fayette County Coaches Association (FCCA) Cross Country Championships under her belt, but the Belle Vernon junior was on the top of the county mountain Thursday afternoon in the girls varsity race at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Steeber, who is a two-time state qualifier, worked with teammate Lilly Walsh to pull away from Laurel Highlands’ Taylor Schwertfeger as the trio climbed a hill before Steeber took control on a downhill to win her first FCCA title in a time of 21:48.1. Walsh was second in 22:07.8 and Schwertfeger came in third at 22:19.5.
Schwertfeger is a four-time all-county performer. She was 10th as a freshman and fifth as a sophomore and junior. Steeber can join Schwertfeger as a four timer next year. Walsh made the top 10 in the FCCA meet the last two seasons.
Steeber’s finishing time wasn’t a PR (personal record), or even a season best, but rain from the past week and earlier in the day made the footing on the course less than ideal. The course at Penn State Fayette is more challenging than White Oak Park, which is where the WPIAL championships are contested, which Steeber believes is an asset.
“I think running this course will definitely help us at the WPIAL meet because White Oak is so much easier than this, so having these hills and stuff will definitely help us for the flatter course,” Steeber said.
Steeber praised Walsh for pushing her during workouts and races, which she believes has helped her improve this season.
“My teammate and I were trying to stay together for the majority of the race,” Steeber said. “She has been hurt the last two years, so this is her first healthy year, and she is improving a lot. It is nice to have that good workout partner and someone to motivate you during those tough workouts where you have to be mentally strong.”
The Leopards were well represented in the top 10, as Delaney Fretts and Lilah Steeber finished in fifth and seventh place to help Belle Vernon to its second straight FCCA team championship with 27 points.
Fretts crossed the finish line in 22:45 and Lilah Steeber came through in 23:09.5.
Raigan Fretts was 12th in 23:56.7 to round out the Leopards’ top five.
“It is super nice to win the team title two years in a row at this meet after winning last season for the first time,” Brooklyn Steeber said. “I am looking forward to the rest of our season, especially the WPIAL meets because I think we can place high if we all run to our potential.”
Connellsville sophomore Addie Lane made the All-County team for the second attempt in as many years with a fourth-place finish in 22:45. The Falcons’ Abby Zavatchan was ninth in 23:24.7. The junior will seek a fourth season on the all-county team next year.
The Mustangs’ Hannah Hertlein earned a spot on the all-county squad for the first time, as the sophomore was sixth in 23:06.2.
Laurel Highlands was runner-up to Belle Vernon in the team standings with 59 points.
Uniontown’s Aurora Payton was eighth in 23:20.7. On a day that many PRs weren’t broken, the freshman set hers. Teammate and fellow ninth grader Maddie DeCarlo was 10th in 23:27.2.
Belle Vernon’s Delila Umana won the junior varsity race in 26:03.3.
Sydney Welsh of Bellmar (Belle Vernon Area) won the junior high race in a PR of 9:23.5. The middle school race is 1.5 miles.
Connellsville won the junior high team title with 38 points to best Bellmar, who was second with 45.