NEW CASTLE — Ethan Wilson and Lizzie Manickas dominated the action Saturday in the Tri-County Cross Country Championship.

Laurel High’s Wilson and Neshannock’s Manickas captured the boys and girls races, respectively, in the event. The annual event was held at Neshannock.

The course was soggy following steady showers the night before.

Wilson, a senior, posted a time of 17:54. He set the course record by about 17 1/2 seconds according to Spartans coach Greg Schmitt.

“I thought for the conditions, the course was really muddy,” Schmitt said. “It was really wet back on the trail. For him to run a time like that was great. He ran an outstanding race and he did what he had to do.

“We knew all along that it would be a slower course with a lot of turns and bends. We talked about that all week. The time wasn’t a factor. It was about placing. When we knew about the rain coming in, we knew it would be even slower.”

Manickas, a junior, recorded a time of 20:57. It’s her third consecutive Tri-County crown.

“Lizzie is a good example of how talent, desire and the willingness to train properly all come together for success,” Lady Lancers coach Dave Antognoli said. “She took the lead early and pushed through the winding and wooded course to win.”

Laurel’s Clint Glenn took eighth in the boys race in 19:33 and teammate Robert Schrantz was 13th in 19:56. Edwin Cracraft was 14th in 19:58 and Lucas Switzer finished 16th in 20:10.

Shenango won the boys event with 35 points and the Spartans followed with 49. The Lancers were third with 58 markers. Ellwood City Lincoln and Union didn’t field complete teams.

David Waldschmidt placed fourth for the Wildcats in 18:52 and Andy McCann was fifth in 19:17. Zach Matuch finished seventh in 19:31, Kyle Campbell claimed ninth in 19:40 and Nicco Pagley was 10th in 19:46.

“That’s the best I’ve seen those boys run in all of the years I’ve known them,” said first-year coach Phil Thompson, who attended meets in previous years when his brother Chris was at the helm. “That’s the most passion I’ve seen them have, too. It was an unbelievable race they ran.

“Waldschmidt ran an incredible race on a tough course. It was just incredible with our top seven runners. I couldn’t be happier.”

Neshannock’s Robbie Kroner finished second in 18:15, Matt Turner placed sixth in 19:27 and Austin Moose was 11th in 19:51. Ron Calvert (15th, 20:03) and Dean Lutz (30th, 22:21) also competed for the Lancers.

Ellwood City’s Matt Reed was 12th in 19:54 and teammate Wesley Larry was 20th in 20:44. Tatsumasa Abe (22nd, 20:57) and John DeCaro also participated for the Wolverines.

Sam Whippo placed 19th for Mohawk in 20:39 and David Kelty took 27th in 21:37. Matt Carran was 32nd in 22:36 and Dakota Lee claimed 33rd in 22:51.

Union’s Tommy Thompson was 36th in 23:54 and Jonathan Noble placed 38th in 27:53.

The Lady Spartans claimed the team title on the girls side with 33 points and Shenango was right behind with 34. Mohawk notched 66 points. Union, Neshannock and Ellwood City didn’t field complete teams.

Emily Maxwell led Laurel, placing second in 21:08. Alison Filer came in sixth in 27:35, Kristin Dicks was seventh in 22:47 and Brooke Dicks was eighth in 22:51. Kacee Caughey took 16th for the Lady Spartans in 24:28.

“I thought Emily Maxwell ran a great race,” Schmitt said. “She did pretty much what Ethan (Wilson) did. I talked to her about it being a slower course.

“I told her to keep an eye on what Shenango was doing and she did. The team title speaks volumes for the girls team of how far they’ve come. The girls work so hard and they’re doing a fantastic job.”

Mohawk’s Breyonna Wagner finished third in 21:49 and Mackenzie Moon took 14th in 24:08. Katelyn Byers (17th, 24:44), Joelle Bromley (21st, 25:42) and Holly Duncan (22nd, 27:06) also participated for the Lady Warriors.

Katie Bruce and Rachel Reamer helped the Lady Wildcats contend with Laurel for the team title. Bruce was fourth for Shenango in 21:50 and Reamer took fifth in 22:30. Elizabeth Salem captured 10th in 23:04, Courtney Fontana was 11th in 23:11 and Carly Danielson placed 12th in 23:14.

“I thought the girls ran a great race,” Thompson said. “Laurel got a couple of girls high in the standings and that helped them win the championship.

“We had a good day. It’s just that Laurel had a little bit better day.”

Union’s Janis McGill finished 19th in 25:21. Ellwood City’s Paige Mason placed 27th in 29:33 and Mallory Angelucci captured 28th in 29:36.

Ellwood City’s Billy Lott won the junior high boys race in 10:24 and Shenango’s Matt Salem was third in 10:41. Neshannock’s Chris Noga was fourth in 11:05, Mohawk’s Matt Rudesill took 15th in 12:18 and Laurel’s Christopher Niles was 20th in 12:49.

Laurel’s Stephanie Kaminski captured the girls race in a time of 11:37 and Shenango’s Brooke-Ellynne Waters was fourth in 12:04. Mohawk’s Meghan Johnson placed 10th in 12:55, Neshannock’s Hannah Shaner finished 13th in 13:10 and Ellwood’s Mauria Wiley took 26th in 15:08.



New Castle teams compete

The New Castle boys and girls cross country teams participated in the West Middlesex Relays, hosted by West Middlesex.

The Red Hurricane boys finished third in the team standings with 36 points, while the Lady ’Canes took second with 39 markers. West Middlesex won the boys event (27 markers) and the girls event (9 tallies).

New Castle’s boys team of Alex Shepard, Trevor Blackwell and Mike Mazzanti placed second in 16:33.

The Lady ’Canes’ team of Caitlin Adamo, Andrea Lansdowne and Rebecca Paul finished third in 20:44.

(Sports writer Ron Poniewasz Jr. has a complete list of results on Monday’s print edition of The News.)