By Ed Farrell

Herald Assistant Sports Editor

WITH THE annual District 10 Cross Country Championships in the books, November’s first weekend means Mercer County’s contingent will head to Hershey in hopes of building on past performances at the PIAA Championships.

And, as he takes two teams to state (making 8 boys’ and 3 girls’ teams during his 19-year tenure), West Middlesex Bob Morris mused, “It never gets old, going to Hershey.”

Here’s a sampling of sentiments from last week’s D-10 races in Buhl Park:

ä Emily Moroco: The Reynolds High sophomore is making her 2nd statewide stage appearance in approximately in 6 months, having qualified for last May’s PIAA Track & Field Championships (learning to long jump about 2 weeks prior to the district championships, she said). This is her 1st trip to Hershey for cross country.

“I missed it by two people last year, so, yeah, it was (motivation to perform this year).”

Though she admitted to being “scared,” she channeled that nervous energy into performance.

“I’m used to (the D-10 meet’s magnitude). I like the competition of the race, I like to have the cheering and all that ... ”

“(State track), that was a blast! But it was scary, ’cause there’s like 10,000 people on both sides (of Seth Grove Stadium) cheering and coaches are not allowed to be with you, so you’ve gotta try and help yourself.

But regarding her date at state this Saturday, she observed, “You just try to control your nerves and be careful and do your best. ... I think it’ll be a great honor to go, just to make it as a sophomore is really saying something.”

She will be accompanied by teammate Candy Arnold, only a freshman, but said they’ll push each other.

“I’m really excited!” Moroco admitted.

Their coach, Renee Peters, in her 1st year at Reynolds’ helm as girls head coach, said she was a spectator last year when Reynolds’ Andrew Martin competed. She said,