Cross country: Huskies sweep four opponents in final home meet
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REEDSVILLE - Mifflin County swept four opponents in both races Thursday, giving its seniors a fitting home farewell and both teams a strong final test before the District 6 Championships.
The boys leaned on the seniors who have carried the program for years. The girls put a senior leader in the middle of a front pack strengthened by three ninth-graders. Together, they ran away from Juniata, Newport, Belleville Christian and St. Joseph's on the 5,000-meter course at Indian Valley Elementary.
Wyatt Kauffman won the boys’ race in 16 minutes, 52.3 seconds, with Hoyt Rodenbaugh close behind in 16:55.5. Aidan Scavitti completed Mifflin County's sweep of the first three places in 17:10. Koy Aurand finished fifth in 17:31, and Craig Whitenight took sixth in 17:37.
That gave the Huskies five of the first six finishers and victories over Juniata, 17-49; Newport, 15-50; Belleville Christian, 15-36; and St. Joseph's, 15-50. Only 44.7 seconds separated Kauffman from Whitenight, leaving little room for an opponent to enter Mifflin County's scoring five.
"We had an awesome evening tuning up and honoring our seniors at home," Mifflin County boys’ coach Alex Monroe said. "The boys looked phenomenal, and I’m really excited to see what fresh legs do for them next Saturday. The goal was to get a solid sustained effort 10 days out from districts, and we accomplished that and more."
The results gave Senior Night an appropriate order. Seniors Kauffman, Rodenbaugh and Scavitti filled the first three spots. Aurand followed two places later, while classmates Camryn Treaster and Logan Breneman finished in 18:33 and 18:50. Tanner Smith finished in 19:05, Logan Boyer in 19:17, Colton Leister in 19:18 and Levi Anderson in 19:33. Colt Hoy ran 20:27, Dominic Altamuro 21:23, Anthony Palopoli 21:45 and Drew Krohn 21:48. Monroe also recognized all six seniors for what they have given the program.
"They are incredible leaders, fierce competitors, and the teammates I can trust fully when I put them on the line," Monroe said. "They have made our community proud, and regardless of results next weekend, they have etched their names into Mifflin County distance running history."
Juniata's Josiah Barner interrupted Mifflin County's run through the top six by placing fourth in 17:18. The Indians also received finishes from David Mayall-Marker in 17:51, Coy Kerstetter in 18:12, Joel Hardin in 19:54 and Elliott Miller in 19:59. John Randolph ran 20:11, Luke Weiand 21:54, Nicholi Keiter 22:05 and Andrew Rutherford 28:06. Juniata defeated Newport, 15-46; Belleville Christian, 20-38; and St. Joseph's, 17-50.
Cade Yoder led Belleville Christian with an eighth-place finish in 18:07. Collin Hartzler followed in 18:19, while Ethan Renno ran 20:04. Devin Yoder finished in 21:03, Braxton Falkner in 24:21, and Ethan Miller in 25:33. Belleville Christian beat Newport, 22-34, and St. Joseph's, 18-50.
The Mifflin County girls built their sweep around a front pack that crossed the line four times before the race reached sixth place. Ninth-grader Elissa Bell won in 20:47, beating Juniata's Carolyn Heidenreich by 10 seconds. Espie Bargas placed third in 21:14. Senior Libby Cook took fourth in 21:20.3, and Daliyah Bargas followed in 21:20.7.
The Huskies defeated Juniata, 21-37, and posted 15-50 victories over Newport, Belleville Christian and St. Joseph's. Bell, Espie Bargas, Cook and Daliyah Bargas crossed within 33.7 seconds, giving Mifflin County another compact group at the front.
"Senior Libby Cook's steady leadership has been remarkable and inspiring, setting a strong example for the entire team," Mifflin County girls’ coach Kristin Kauffman said. "The addition of ninth-graders Elissa Bell, Espie Bargas, and Daliyah Bargas has brought a new level of competitiveness to the girls' team."
Kauffman said Bell, Cook, and the Bargas sisters have worked as a front pack, pushing one another throughout the season. Behind them, Lizzy Massie reached a season-long goal with a personal-best 22:29. Maddy Yoder finished in 23:11, Jovie Kauffman in 23:46 and Abigail "Abby" Anderson in 23:48.
Eden Smith, Carys Morgan, Casey Bulick and Aubrey Molinaro each cut minutes from their previous season-best time. Smith finished in 26:41, Morgan in 28:22, Bulick in 30:58 and Molinaro in 32:09. Kenzie Cramer and Hannah Johnson added consecutive finishes for the Huskies, running 25:33 and 25:34.
"Today's strong performance shows that the girls are right where they need to be heading into districts," Kauffman said. "They have put in the work, built the fitness and endurance necessary to compete, and continued to grow together as a team."
Juniata followed Heidenreich with Hannah Zeiders in 21:27 and Hannah Wirt in 21:31. Juliet Heidenreich ran 23:12, Ella Zimmerman 24:17, Charlotte Barner 24:43, Darcy Griffiths 25:13, Marissa Henry 25:38 and Adrianna Peck 28:15. Belleville Christian's Vivian Pauchnik finished in 23:40.
Mifflin County, Juniata, and Belleville Christian return to competition Oct. 31 at the District 6 Class Championships at Maple Crest Golf Course in Portage.