An oppressive, freak early October heat wave never seemed to take control of cross country runners Wednesday afternoon, where Jim Thorpe, Tamaqua, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven were battling to deal with the never-ending summer weather.

Perhaps this meet ran a day too early; Mother Nature swooned in with more autumn-like temperatures today. However, most of these boys and girls runners are too competitive to worry about things they can’t control.

The four-time defending Schuylkill Division I champion Tamaqua girls are trailing unbeaten North Schuylkill in the league standing this season, and know their impressive streak of titles will be coming to an end this season. But the Raiders continue to battle with their legs and heart, and on Wednesday, picked up a sweep, racing by Pottsville, 17-42 and Jim Thorpe, 21-36.

“We’re getting much better and stronger,” said Tamaqua’s highly successful coach, Tom Kanger. “We’re getting faster, and this is a really tough course. I’m really happy with the results — our 1, 2 and 3 really closed gaps.”

Leading the way for Tamaqua were Grace Stegemerten (21:57), Frances Kabana (22:41) and Brianna Dumond (22:47), who earned the top three spots. Thorpe’s Katelyn Bos (22:52), a standout junior, garnered fourth, while her teammates Nicola Carroll (24:15) and Megan Rosahac picked up sixth and seventh place finishes, respectively

“These (girls) are really working hard, and to come out in such heat and put up those times says a lot about how much they’ve worked,” said Thorpe coach Marie Rosahac.

Tamaqua’s Madelyn Jones (25:19) and Lottie Mateyka (25:22) rounded out the top 10 runners. Besides the aforementioned Olympians, also piling up key points for the team were Isabella Acker and Olivia Renode.

The Tamaqua boys made some noise as well with Brandon Fogarty and Tait Ehrig hitting the tape in first and second place, respectively. Fogarty raced home with a time of 18:57 and Ehrig at 20:01. That duo, along with a trio of runners consisting of Charles Kabana (21;05), Alec Humes (21:29) and Christoph Osenbach (21:34), who finished seventh, eighth and 10th, enabled the Tamaqua boys to also earn a sweep.

Tamaqua nailed down a 15-44 win over Pottsville, a 24-31 over Jim Thorpe and a 19-41 win over Schuylkill Haven.

Jim Thorpe’s James Schwartz (20:22), Ridge Snyder (20:33) and Ben Seachrist (20:48) were bright stars for their side, finishing second, fourth and fifth overall. Teammates Brandon Thompson (22:06) and Jasper DiSanto (22;24) both produced key points, enabling their team to down Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville by identical 19-42 scores

“Our goals right now are to get ready for the last meet next (Wednesday), and in two weeks for the leagues,” said Rosahac.

Meanwhile, Kanger was looking even more toward the future.

“One thing I will say, our boys have really stepped it up; the future for them is very bright, and with a lot of good junior high runners ready to break in next fall, I’m very excited for our program.”

PANTHERS PRESENT ... All four schools had enough boy runners to produce a team score, but Schuylkill Haven had only two girls. Meanwhile, Panther Valley had one boy and one girl take part.

QUOTABLE

… “We really enjoy running a lot,” said Bos, who is also soccer player for the Olympians. “I really love to run,” said Nicole Carroll, who is also a member of the Thorpe girls’ soccer team. Both were able to run when their soccer game was postponed.

WHERE THEY STAND

… The Tamaqua boys (11-2 in the league) are having a banner season despite trailing undefeated Blue Mountain in the Division 1 standings. The Eagles started the day undefeated in leagues at 10-0.

HOT AND HUMID

… Fogarty said he didn’t allow the heat to play on his mind. Once he got rolling, it was mind over matter adding the fact that most of the course has shade, which also helped.

BRAVO

… A big shout out to Tamaqua’s Ethan Turrano, who kept plugging away and competing for the Raiders. The kid is a true competitor and not a quitter; and this is what high school sports is all about.

BOYS

Tamaqua 15, Pottsville 44

Jim Thorpe 19, Pottsville 42

Tamaqua 24, Jim Thorpe 31

Tamaqua 19, Sch. Haven 41

Jim Thorpe 19, Sch. Haven 42

1. Brandon Fogarty (T) 18:57, 2 Tait Ehrig (T) 20:01, 3. James Schwartz (JT) 20:22, 4. Ridge Snyder (JT) 20:33, 5. Ben Seachrist (JT) 20:48, 6. Astin Daniel (SH) 21:01, 7. Charles Kabana (T) 21:05, 8. Alec Humes (T) 21:29, 9. Camrin Ney (SH) 21:30, 10. Christopher Osenbach (T) 21:34.

GIRLS

Tamaqua 17, Pottsville 42

Jim Thorpe 27, Pottsville 28

Tamaqua 21, Jim Thorpe 36

1. Grace Stegemerten (T) 21:57, 2. Frances Kabana (T) 22:41, 3. Briana Dumond (T) 22:47, 4. Katelynn Bos (JT) 22;52, 5. Adra Schell (P) 22:56, 6. Nicole Carroll (JT) 24:15, 7. Megan Rosahac (JT) 24:55, 8. Marissa Fridirici (SH) 25:08, 9. Madelyn Jones (T) 25:19, 10. Lotie Mateyak (T) 25:22.