Mustangs get look at new state XC course
Laurel Highlands had the opportunity to compete on the course where the state cross country meet will be held when the Mustangs ran in the Ben Bloser Bulldog Invitational that was held at Big Spring High School in Newville.
The cross country state championships will move away from the course around Hersheypark for the first time in over 25 years.
Laurel Highlands competed in the Class 2A race and its girls squad was 14th out of 26 schools.
Senior Taylor Schwertfeger, who is eying a third straight trip to the state meet, was 26th overall (21st among teams) with a time of 21:14.
Teammate Hannah Hertlein was 52nd overall (44th among teams) in 22:20.6. The Mustangs’ Vanessa Rosano crossed the finish line in a time of 23:45.4.
LH freshman Mariah Macijczak ran the 5K course in 23:52.3. Sophia Yauger completed her race in 25:58. Clara Cully came in at 28:10.4.
The boys at Laurel Highlands finished 13th with 386 team points.
Sophomore Mason Mahoney was 49th overall (46th among teams) in 17:58.4 to lead coach Bob Costello’s squad.
Junior Noah Hudock came in 61st overall (58th among teams) in 18:17.7 and senior Ryan Filcheck was 78th overall (75th among teams) in 18:33.7.
Sophomore Wil Skowronski broke 19 minutes in a time of 18:58.5 for 93rd place (90th among teams).
Freshman Carter Flinn was the Mustangs’ fifth finisher in a time of 19:24.5. He was 120th overall (117th among teams).
Junior James Buckingham (21:07.9) and sophomore Logan Peck (21:34.6) rounded out the varsity finishers for Laurel Highlands.