The Tyrone cross country hosted Penns Valley and Juniata Valley on Tuesday afternoon in Mountain Athletic Conference action. The Tyrone boys got toasted by Penns Valley 37-18, which has been happening to just about everybody that has run against the Rams this year, but did a job on Juniata Valley 18-39.
The Lady Eagles got a top finish from Emily Ingle, who raced to the finish line in 21:49, nearly a minute and a half ahead of the second place runner, Julie Snyder of Penns Valley (23:13), but once again the Tyrone girls couldn’t put the required five scorers on the course and lost 15-50 to both Penns Valley and Juniata Valley to drop to 2-7 on the season.
Penns Valley placed eight in the top 10 in the girls race with only Juniata Valley’s Becky Cresswell (25:19) breaking up the sweep from second to 10th with a sixth place timing. Paige Black was 18th overall in 30:09 and Amber Davis was 20th in 30:48 for Tyrone.
“Emily Ingle improved her time on our course from last week and just dominated the race again this week, (as she has been doing most of the season),” said Tyrone cross country coach Tammy Wills. “She has been the driving force of this team and will be missed. We were down in numbers again because of injuries, but Paige Black ran today and gave it her all. Amber Davis had a great day. She looked very good and took a large chunk of time off her time from last week.”
Aaron Houck broke up a Penns Valley sweep of the top five in the boys race with a fourth place finish in 18:59. The Rams Nathan Brown won the race in 18:24.
Chris Bradigan was sixth in 19:45, Bradley McNeal was eighth in 20:29 and Dustin Elder was 10th in 21:14. Other Tyrone runners included Eric Sweet (12th in 21:42), Philip Kreckle (15th in 22:04), Sam McCloskey (18th in 22:54), Johnathan Bishop (20th in 25:48), Jake Smerekar (21st in 26:56) and Caleb Dillon (22nd in 29:12).
“I am very happy with the outcome of today’s meet. All of the boys ran very well and showed a lot of heart,” said Wills. “Penns Valley is the only team in our division that we haven’t beaten. They are a powerhouse and they proved it again tonight. But our boys went out there and gave it their all and for that I am very proud of them.
“Aaron improved his time by four seconds on our course. He just ran an awesome race. Chris was close behind Aaron and ran a very hard race. Eric sweet and Dustin Elder have been battling back and forth all season long for that third position. Tonight Dustin got it, but they should both be pleased with the races they ran. As should Bradley McNeal, Philip Kreckle and Sam McCloskey. Sam had a great finish. Jonathan Bishop, Jake Smerekar and Caleb Dillon ran tough races and some of their best times on the course.”
Six seniors were honored before the meet got underway. It was the final time on the home course for Aaron Houck, two years on the team, Chris Bradigan, three years on the team, Sam McCloskey, four years on the team, Eric Sweet, four years on the team, Emily Ingle, four years on the team and Paige Black, two years on the team.
“I know I speak not only for myself, but for coach Dillon and coach Orr when I say that I am so proud of what these seniors have accomplished. They have worked so hard and are all very special to me (us). I will miss each and every one of them very much.”
