Herald Staff report

A trio of sophomores and a freshman led the area contingent at Saturday’s PIAA Cross Country Championships in Hershey.

Reynolds’ Emily Moroco finished 18th in the girls Class AA varsity race. Sharon’s Dana Cerroni was 23rd while Hickory’s Morgan Richards placed 27th.

Sharpsville freshman Paige Scurpa placed 30th.

Other locals and their places were: West Middlesex’s Kelsey Murray (60th), Candice Arnold of Reynolds (84th) and WM’s Karen Willey (88th), Brittany Ruffo (98th), Shelby Pontera (128th), Lauren Shingledecker (138th), Kia-Ann Howe (165th) and Madeline Williams (216th).

Hickory mentor Tony Mastrian said of Richards, “We’re so proud of what she did this season, down the stretch here. She gave it her best to perform at this level, coming back off the illness from last week.

“(Richards) had a decent start (Saturday), but midway through she wasn’t able to hang on to the top 25; still, 27th is a great performance for what she went through, and she had a great season for the Hickory cross coutnry progam.”

Mastrian also cited his assistant coaches, Mark Slezak, Patti Rodenbaugh and Kyle Ward.

“I’m so proud of both Emily and Candice,” said Reynolds coach Renee Peters. “They exceeded my expectations.”

In Class AA boys, the top local finisher was West Middlesex’s Trey Powell, who placed 118th.

Other competitors: WM’s Colby Howe (133rd) and John Sochor (142nd), Jamestown’s Derrick Mausser (145th) and WM’s Aaron Fitzgerald (179th), Christian Douglas (202nd), Rich Klumph (235th) and Jason Devlin (265th).

“At the beginning of the season, 262 teams start with the goal of getting to state in Class AA and 25 get to go,” said WM coach Bob Morris. “We were honored to be one of them and the kids raced to the best of their ability.

“I’d like to wish my seniors well (Howe, Douglas, Willey, Shingledecker and Williams). My assistants also did a great job this year (Ellen List, Bobby Palko and volunteer Gary Salantino). We’re looking forward to next year.”

NW Lehigh’s Lindsay Kerr won the girls race in 18:56, followed by Kayleigh Perry of Elco (19:12).