BELLEFONTE — The Mount Union cross country team opened the 2022 campaign on the road at Bald Eagle Area on Wednesday afternoon and everyone put up good times bringing both the boys and the girls teams’ home with a win.

Southern Huntingdon will participate on the Mount Union schedule this season as they have added cross country to the program at Southern. They used the Bald Eagle meet as a scrimmage for its first time out with good performances all-around. The Trojan boys won 20-43 over Bald Eagle and the girls won 6-15.

Boys

Bald Eagles’ set the pace on the boy’s side of the meet with a time of 19:34. Mount Union took the next five places with Mason Beatty placing second at 21:03 followed by Ryan Plank at 22:39. Ethan Fisher was fourth with a time of 22:50 with Kamden Beatty in fifth at 23:24. Rounding out the Trojans in sixth place was Evan Yakymac at 23:31. Izaac Erwin led the Rocket squad with a time of 22:45 fast enough for a fourth-place finish if scored.

“The team went out and ran hard on a very tough course that has a high number of hills,” commented Trojan head coach Bob Wydock.

“It was a good win to start the season.”

Girls

The Mount Union girls took the first three places over the Bald Eagle girls with both teams having slim rosters. Molly Smith ran a fast time for the Trojans at 31:08 followed by Jonnell Welsh at 40:34 in second place and Emma Smith was third at 49:42. Hanna Grissinger was the fastest girl in the field today from Southern Huntingdon running a 30:12. Rocket Katelyn Harper ran a 32:48, Emma McMath ran a 32:52 and Emmalynn Winger had a time of 36:26 followed by Bells Price at 45:38.

“The girls also put-up good times for this early in the schedule,” added Wydock.

“They all gave everything they had today, and it paid off with a win to start the season.”

“It was a good learning experience for us in our first outing,” stated Rocket head coach Steve Keim.

“We were timid going in and a little hesitant running a tough course like Bald Eagle has. We will take what we learned today and build off that.”

The Trojans will be back in action September 7 against Juniata Valley along with Southern Huntingdon in Mount Union.