CENTER VALLEY – From Marian’s team success in Class 1A to a wave of individual qualifiers across the 2A field, area runners made their mark Wednesday at the District 11 Cross Country Championships at DeSales University.

The mix of veteran experience and breakout performances highlighted a strong day for programs continuing to build and sustain success — and for several athletes, it means another trip to Hershey for the PIAA Championships.

In Class 1A, Marian earned a team berth to states after finishing second behind Nativity BVM, which won the title with 62 points. The Colts totaled 82, led by senior Wade Eroh, who placed fourth overall in 18:17.

“It’s pretty good that we’re going to Hershey now,” Eroh said. “Our goal was to win districts, but the second goal was to make it to states — and that happened, so we’re pretty excited.”

Eroh has battled illness and a knee injury this fall, but turned in one of his best efforts of the season Wednesday. “Last time we were here a few weeks ago, I ran around 19 (minutes),” he said. “To drop almost a minute felt really good.”

For first-year head coach Dominique Thaler, who moved from assistant to head coach this season, it marked a rewarding milestone for a tight-knit group.

“I’m so proud of this group of five guys,” Thaler said. “Cross country can feel like an individual sport, but they really pushed each other and picked each other up. They wanted to go as a team — and they did.

“It’s been so easy to coach them because they love what they do. They make each other better. To see their reactions, the excitement at the finish — it’s what coaching is all about.”

Eroh was joined by teammates Achilles Fitzpatrick (12th, 19:09.2), Jacob Berlanda (13th, 19:14.6), James Gelatko (20th, 19:58.1) and Darren Paulino (35th, 20:54.4) — a tight, consistent pack that helped Marian lock up its spot.

Weatherly’s Alex Best also earned a trip to states in Class 1A, placing ninth in 18:56.

“I was expecting to make it, but I’m still really excited,” said Best. “My plan was just to run my own race and be content with myself. My times have dropped all season — I started in the mid-20s, then low 19s, and now mid-18s. It’s the exact path I hoped for.”

Class 2A success

The area’s Class 2A contingent added several more state qualifiers.

Palmerton senior Connor Hibell, a two-time defending district champion, placed third overall in 16:57 to earn his fourth consecutive trip to Hershey.

“I’m happy I ran under 17 today,” said Hibell, who finished second at last week’s Colonial League meet and has enjoyed a stellar career for the Bombers. “There was great competition — it’s nice having people to pace with. My goal was to medal at states, but I’m just proud of what I’ve done and happy to finish my season strong.”

Lehighton’s Elijah Pagotto and Quinn Heimbach also advanced, finishing sixth and 10th, respectively, while helping the Indians place fifth in the team standings. The pair were seventh and eighth last week at leagues.

Pagotto, a senior, relished the familiar competition.

“I really enjoy districts — it’s familiar faces and great competition,” he said. “Having a teammate like Quinn helps a lot. We ran together most of the race and pushed each other.”

For Heimbach, a freshman, the moment was a major breakthrough.

“That was one of my main goals this season,” he said. “I kept telling myself I got top 10 at leagues, so I can do it again. My strategy was to keep up with Eli, and it worked. It’s awesome to go to states with him.”

Tamaqua sophomore Aidan Elston placed ninth (17:30) to qualify for his first state meet.

“It’s amazing — my fastest race on this course,” said Elston, also a standout on the Tamaqua boys soccer team this fall. “My team’s been pushing me all year. I just hit the hills harder and tried to take off after the second mile.”

Northwestern’s Noah Griffith earned the final individual qualifying spot, finishing 17th overall in 17:56.

“I was the last one in, and it was close at the end,” Griffith said. “Not getting it last year, I really wanted it this year. I pushed harder on the hills, and it worked out. All the offseason work — it’s worth it.

“I knew it would be close. I missed it last year, so I really wanted it this time. I had to hold someone off at the end, but it was worth it.”

Looking ahead

Thaler said the collective success across multiple schools speaks to the region’s depth and determination.

“It’s awesome to see how supportive all these kids are of one another,” she said. “They work hard, they train together at meets, and they all push to get better.

For all the runners who endured the biting wind and long climbs at DeSales, the shared reward was the same — a trip to the state championships at Hershey, where they’ll race among Pennsylvania’s best.

DISTRICT 11 CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

RESULTS

BOYS

CLASS 1A

(Top two teams plus 10 individuals not on those teams advance to states)

TEAM SCORES AND LEGEND

1. Nativity BVM (NAV) – 62*; 2. Marian Catholic (MAR) – 82*; 3. Bethlehem Christian (BCS) – 96; 4. Shenandoah Valley (SV) – 104; 5. Schuylkill Haven (SH) – 121; 6. Moravian Academy (MA) – 143; 7. Mahanoy Area (MAH) – 144; 8. Minersville Area (MIN) – 155; 9. Weatherly Area (WEA) – 159; 10. Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg (NDES) – 221.

Teams marked with an asterisk advance to the PIAA Championships.*

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

1. Robert Espinal, SR (SV), 17:13.5*; 2. Shane Meyer, JR (NAV), 18:00.0*; 3. Johnny Burgess, JR (MIN), 18:12.8*; 4. Wade Eroh, JR (MAR), 18:17.6*; 5. Nash Stehr, JR (NAV), 18:25.0*; 6. Wyatt Hylka, JR (NAV), 18:29.0*; 7. Joshua Cathers, SO (BCS), 18:32.9*; 8. Preston Rex, JR (BCS), 18:35.5*; 9. Alex Best, SO (WEA), 18:56.4*; 10. Colton McClusky, FR (SH), 18:58.5*; 12. Achilles Fitzpatrick, JR (MAR), 19:09.2*; 13. Jacob Berlanda, JR (MAR), 19:14.6*; 14. Angel Flores, FR (SV), 19:24.8*; 15. Cameron Smith, FR (MAH), 19:27.7*; 16. Gabriel Saba, JR (SV), 19:40.8*; 20. James Gelatko, JR (MAR), 19:58.1*; 23. Daniel Kim, FR (NAV), 20:16.6*; 26. Brady Loftus, FR (NAV), 20:23.2*; 30. Isiah Williams, SR (WEA), 20:45.3; 31. Raymond Montz, SR (WEA), 20:48.8; 35. Darren Paulino, SR (MAR), 20:54.4*; 46. Khristian Rivera, JR (WEA), 21:32.6; 47. Rex Bellizia, FR (WEA), 21:54.7.

Individuals marked with an asterisk advance to the PIAA Championships.*

CLASS 2A

(Top two teams plus 10 individuals not on those teams advance to states)

TEAM SCORES AND LEGEND

1. Wilson Area (WIL) – 73*; 2. Notre Dame-Green Pond (NDGP) – 79*; 3. Allentown Central Catholic (ACC) – 80; 4. Blue Mountain (BM) – 89; 5. Lehighton (LEH) – 171; 6. Saucon Valley (SV) – 175; 7. Northwestern Lehigh (NWL) – 179; 8. Tamaqua Area (TAM) – 193; 9. Palmerton Area (PAL) – 240; 10. Palisades (PALD) – 253; 11. North Schuylkill (NS) – 268; 12. Lehigh Valley Academy (LVA) – 295; 13. Northern Lehigh (NL) – 375; 14. Catasauqua (CAT) – 396; 15. Salisbury Township (SAL) – 444.

Teams marked with an asterisk advance to the PIAA Championships.*

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

1. Will Haring, SR (ACC), 16:35.7*; 2. Jeffrey Sunderlin, SR (WIL), 16:49.9*; 3. Connor Hibell, SR (PAL), 16:57.1*; 4. Emmett Rieland, SO (NDGP), 17:07.5*; 5. Theodore Wechtler, FR (SV), 17:19.0*; 6. Elijah Pagotto, SR (LEH), 17:21.9*; 7. Francesco Carr, SR (BM), 17:23.5*; 8. Brody Moyer, JR (BM), 17:24.1*; 9. Aidan Elston, SO (TAM), 17:30.1*; 10. Quinn Heimbach, FR (LEH), 17:31.9*; 11. Jameson Kopp, (NDGP), 17:38.9*; 12. Dante Azzolina, JR (NDGP), 17:42.2*; 13. Justin Hetrick, SO (WIL), 17:46.9*; 14. Aiden Van Wert, JR (NDGP), 17:48.4*; 15. Anderson Silfies, JR (WIL), 17:50.9*; 16. Gavin Mahon, JR (ACC), 17:52.5*; 17. Noah Griffith, JR (NWL), 17:55.6*; 19. Dillard Jones, JR (WIL), 18:01.1*; 24. Sebestian Warner, SR (LEH), 18:16.0; 24. Liam Gable, SO (WIL), 18:16.1*; 26. Memphis Kline, FR (TAM), 18:18.2; 32. Parker Steencken, SO (TAM), 18:36.0; 34. Brady Furman, JR (NWL), 18:39.4; 36. Chase Ader, JR (PAL), 18:41.6; 42. Jonathan Fornauf, SR (NWL), 18:57.5; 44. Edward Benedict, JR (NL), 10:09.1; 46. Michael Richards, (NWL), 19:12.4.

Individuals marked with an asterisk () advance to the PIAA Championships.*

CLASS 3A

(Top two teams plus 10 individuals not on those teams advance to states)

TEAM SCORES AND LEGEND

1. Emmaus (EMM) – 33*; 2. Parkland (PAR) – 45*; 3. Southern Lehigh (SL) – 88; 4. Nazareth Area (NAZ) – 122; 5. Easton Area (EAS) – 148; 6. Stroudsburg (STR) – 224; 7. Liberty (LIB) – 224; 8. Freedom (FRE) – 246; 9. East Stroudsburg North (ESN) – 279; 10. Pocono Mountain West (PMW) – 311.

Teams marked with an asterisk advance to the PIAA Championships.*

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

1. Colin McGuigan, JR (PAR), 16:20.7*; 2. Roen Woolf, SO (EMM), 16:34.5*; 3. Miles Etters, JR (SL), 16:43.5*; 4. Ryan Fach, SR (EMM), 16:43.9*; 5. Jacob Casey, SR (NAZ), 16:46.2*; 6. Evan Guydish, SR (EAS), 16:51.6*; 7. Michael Carwell, SO (EMM), 16:52.4*; 8. David Hearn, SO (EMM), 16:55.4*; 9. Alexander Abosamra, SO (PAR), 17:02.5*; 10. Luke McEvoy, SR (PAR), 17:11.7*; 11. Isaiah Wilson, SO (PAR), 17:13.3*; 12. Luke Harris, FR (EMM), 17:19.8*; 13. Brayden Boyle, JR (FRE), 17:23.6*; 14. Jaiden Zabler, SO (PAR), 17:31.0*; 15. Joshua Cazares, SR (LIB), 17:31.4*; 16. Logan McEvoy, SR (PAR), 17:32.2*; 17. Luke Lotierzo, SO (NAZ), 17:34.3*; 18. Bonnie Wanjohi, JR (ESS), 17:36.2*; 19. Nick Sajez, SO (SL), 17:40.2*; 20. Zachary Zappile, JR (EMM), 17:45.2*; 21. Jules Thornton, SO (SL) 17:48.7*; 22. Keene Etters, SO (SL) 17:50.9*.

Individuals marked with an asterisk advance to the PIAA Championships.*