On a spectacular, sun splashed afternoon, it was a grand day for Lehighton senior cross-country runner Kelsey Gaston.

All she wanted to do was win this meet on the same day the Indians were paying tribute to their senior runners.

Butterflies flipping in the pit of her stomach before the gun went off, Gaston just keep thinking she needed to run her best race and the result would take care of itself.

Indeed, that was the case for Gaston, as she led the way from start to finish on this hot late September day to cross the finish line ahead of her competition with a time of 20:39.

“I’m just so happy and thrilled to win the race,” Gaston said. “This was Senior Day, and all I kept thinking was that I wanted to win. I knew it was a big challenge. Tamaqua is always a good team, and Grace Stegemerten is a very good runner.”

So are the other members of the Raiders, as their depth enabled them to sweep the quad meet, including a 20-37 win over Lehighton. Tamaqua runners impressively grabbed the second-through-sixth spots.

Stegemerten had a time of 21:21 to place second, followed by Frances Kabana (22:55), Ashley Jones (26:29), Hailey Williams (27:05) and McKenna Carroll (27:26) - but none could catch Gaston.

“All day long Kelsey was a bundle of nerves,” said Lehighton head coach Erica Pagotto. “She wanted this so badly. I’m so happy for her … she’s quite the young lady.”

The Raiders completed the sweep by topping Shenandoah Valley and Gillingham Charter by scores of 15-50.

With the season racing toward the finish, Tamaqua coach Tom Kanger was happy to get another meet in the books.

“This has been only the second time that we’ve been outside for a race,” Kanger said. “We were better than the last time out … you can’t ask for more. You know it’s kind of crazy, the Schuylkill League meet is less than a month away and all we’ve run are two meets.”

Katie Wojton finished seventh for the Indians, followed by Giana Sube in ninth and Liz Troutman in 10th.

Shenandoah boys sweep

The Blue Devils continued their banner season - with their only blemish a loss to Division III rivals Weatherly. They were steps ahead of the field Wednesday, defeating Tamaqua 19-42 and Lehighton 15-47.

Joelvi Nunez and Connor Stasulli ran 1-and-2, while Tamaqua’s Tait Ehrig claimed third place with a time of 19:56. Tamaqua’s Jesse Gormley (21:04) clocked in with a sixth-place finish, while Lehighton’s Owen Searfoss (21:29) added an eighth-place finish and teammate Brandon Hall (22:07) was 10th.

The Indians ran strong against the Blue Raiders and found Hall, Levi Monk (22:31) and Bradley Yeaser (23:43) scoring valuable points in a 26-30 win.

THE FEW, THE PROUD

… Gaston, who is headed to the United State Marine Corp after graduation. couldn’t stop smiling after the race, one that will remain a lasting memory for her for years to come.

BLUE DEVILS IMPRESS

… Shenandoah Valley has a strong contingent of runners. The Devils are the defending divisional champs, and need to win at Weatherly next Monday in order to create a tie. The Wreckers beat the Devils the last time out. Head coach John Brennan has turned this program into one of the best in District 11.

NEVER TIRING

… Official Len Ciszek has been around the cross-country scene since 1967 when he was a senior in high school at Shenandoah Valley. He coached the Devils for decades in track and cross-country, building the program into one of the finest in District 11. Ciszek, who has retired from teaching at Shenandodah Valley and still loves the officiating, worked the meet Wednesday.

BOYS

Shenandoah 28, Lehighton 47

Shenandoah 19, Tamaqua 42

Tamaqua 15, Gillingham 50

Lehighton 26, Tamaqua 30

Lehighton 15, Gillingham 50

1. Joelvi Nunez (SV) 19:29, 2. Connor Stasulli (SV) 19:49, 3. Tait Ehrig (T) 19:36, 4. Educ Zamudio (SV) 20:35, 5. Ivan Monjaraz (SV) 20:42, 6. Jesse Gormley (T) 7. Diego Olayo (SV) 21:23, 8. Owen Searfoss (L), 9. Hunter Davis, 10. Brandon Hall (L), 11. Jesus Meza (SV), 12. Levi Monk (L), 13. Bradley Yeaser (L) 14. Jathan Krall (T), 15. Nick Zeigenfuss (L).

GIRLS

Tamaqua 20, Lehighton 37

Tamaqua 15, Shenandoah 50

Tamaqua 15, Gillingham 50

Lehighton 15, Shenandoah 50

Lehighton 15, Gillingham 50

1. Kelsey Gaston (L) 20:39, 2. Grace Stegemerten (T) 21:21, 3. Frances Kabana (T) 22:55, 4. Ashley Jones (T) 26:29, 5. Hailey Williams (T) 27:05, 6. Makenna Carroll (T), 7. Katie Wojten (L), 8. Karen Holbert (GC), 9. Giana Sube (L), 10. Liz Troutman (L), 11. Angelica Donavan (SV), 12. Caitlyn Smith (T), 13. Mia Jones (T), 14. Natalie Hydro (T), 15. Jamyson Cotterman (L).