« West Penn Breaks Six Records, Establishes Two at Pittsylvania Mile Run; Rogus, Nemeth Win Event
2004 Top Athletes and Volunteers »
Nov 14 2004

West Penn Dominates at Pittsylvania XC Challenge

Posted by: John Harwick in Results, Achievements, Members

FINISH LINE

West Penn’s versatile Janice Boyko worked the registration table, ran the 8K, and provided the delicious apples that both runners and volunteers enjoyed.

Dick Firsching, Mt. Lebanon High’s 1945 PIAA 220y gold medalist, started the races with his usual efficiency.

One age-group record remains from the 1999 inaugural Challenge. West Penn’s Sandy Onofray ran 37:02 to set the still-standing 40-44 record.

Participation hit 96 to rank as the fourth highest in the meet’s six-year history: 99 in 1999, 78 in 2000, 97 in 2001, 90 in 2002, and 157 in 2003.

Runners ranged in age from 5-year-old Mike Scabora of St. Rosalia to 71-year-old John Harwick of West Penn.

Mark Schwartz, long-time USATF National Official, served as the meet referee.

Runners from four states competed: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Christine Taranto, West Allegheny High’s 2002 PIAA XC champion now running for the Naval Academy, set the women’s 30:56 record in 2002. Ricky Moore, Wheeling Park’s four-time West Virginia state champion (two each in XC and the 3200m) and three-time Wheeling Jesuit University NCAA All-American, set the men’s 25:59 record in 2001.

Race officials faced their own challenge with the newly developed Frick Park wetland nearly eliminating the traditional wide starting area, but West Penn’s innovative crew used a dual start with men and women on opposite sides of the wetland.

Pages: 1 2

Possibly Related Posts:

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 14th, 2004 at 9:59 am and is filed under Results, Achievements, Members. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.