PIAA Cross Country Championships | Mars’ Hailey Long ‘shocked’ herself with 4th; other Butler County top times
Hailey Long cried.
The Mars senior, who finished fourth in the girls Class 3A race during Saturday's PIAA Cross Country Championships with a time of 17:48, was thrilled with her effort at Big Spring High School. The tears were happy ones.
She'd been aiming to cross the finish line in under 17:50, which qualifies her for regionals at the Brooks Northeast Cross Country Championships on Nov. 21.
Long, who finished third at WPIALs the week prior, tried to stick behind South Fayette's Angela Zeng, who finished second (17:33), a plan that worked to perfection. Long got out ahead of winner Kathryn Froelich, of South Fayette (17:33), and Zeng at first, but let them pass her up knowing that it would be best for pacing.
"We kinda just ran together for as far as I could stay with them," Long said, adding she got about 2.5 miles in before fading back some. "Once I got to the 4K mark, I knew that it was all downhill, so I tried to just push as hard as I could. But that was their plan, too, so they were able to kick a lot better than me. But it was a really good finish overall. I'd say I executed perfectly, got exactly what I wanted and I honestly kind of shocked myself when I went through the line.
"It was the first time I'd ever seen Froelich finish in a race, because she's usually so much further in front of me."
Long's Planets teammate, freshman Norah Sondej, tied for 70th with a time of 19:48.
Freeport junior David Kristine medaled in the Class 2A boys race, placing 23rd (16:35). He planned on wearing the well-deserved prize around his neck for the rest of the day.
"I think I started a smidge slow, but then again, it's states, everyone's starting fast," Kristine said. "I think I managed to really settle by the mile-and-a-half mark, I really managed to get a groove."
Kristine works at Giant Eagle as a curbside delivery employee. He shouted out his manager, Dave Arveii, and said that he's averaged 50,000 steps a day at times.
"It's a little complicated at times, just getting to work, but my boss manages to work pretty well between being able to get to work on time, but making sure I'm getting my run in," Kristine said.
Knoch senior Carter French (16:37) placed 19th in the same race. Freeport’s John Hart ran a 17:01 to finish 41st.
Moniteau senior Peyton Beck and Karns City senior Noah Weiland just missed the Class 1A boys podium. The two rivals were neck and neck, with Beck finishing 27th in 16:55 and Weiland crossing one spot behind in 16:57.
Slippery Rock freshman Sophia Geart crossed the finish line in 20:22 to finish 53rd.
Seneca Valley senior Ian Wahl ran 16:29 to finish 65th in 3A boys.
