Central Mountain Cross Country Teams Battle Strong Field in Williamsport Meet

WILLIAMSPORT, PA — The Central Mountain High School and Middle School cross country teams put forth a strong collective effort on Tuesday, September 29, competing in a multi-team meet hosted at Williamsport that included runners from Mifflinburg, Jersey Shore, and South Williamsport.

Across both high school and middle school divisions, the Wildcat runners turned in several standout individual performances and competitive finishes.

High School Boys: Shane Leads Central Mountain Contingent

In the High School Boys 5K, Central Mountain’s Shane Walker led the way for the Wildcats, securing a top-10 finish by placing 10th overall with a time of 19:54.06.

Close behind in the pack were teammates Xian Deems and Gabriel Houser, who finished back-to-back in 12th and 13th places with times of 20:45.79 and 20:58.84, respectively. Owen Rippey crossed the line in 15th place (21:22.50), while Will Stout rounded out the top five Wildcat finishers in 16th place with a time of 21:24.56.

Additional Central Mountain runners completing the course included Liam Darwin (21st, 21:46.54), Latrell Walker (22nd, 21:54.78), Ayles Winslow (25th, 21:59.58), Levi Albright (27th, 22:11.00), and Jack Stout (28th, 22:12.94).

The boys finished 2-2 on the day, falling to Jersey Shore 29-30 and Williamsport 15-49. They defeated Mifflinburg 15-50 and South Williamsport 5-12.

High School Girls: Hosley and Wolfe Lead Top-10 Trio

The Central Mountain High School Girls team posted impressive individual results, highlighted by a duo landing in the top four overall.

Gabriella Hosley spearheaded the Wildcats’ effort, taking 3rd place overall in a time of 23:47.06. She was closely followed by teammate Emma Wolfe, who took 4th place crossing the line in 23:52.88. Maci Blazina added another top-10 finish for Central Mountain, placing 10th with a time of 24:21.53.

Central Mountain kept its scoring pack tight as Kaylie Macloskey (11th, 24:27.49), Alanna Hosley (12th, 24:31.85), and Elizabeth McClosckey (13th, 25:04.83) swept the next three finishing positions. Abigail Winslow placed 17th (26:32.13), Addison Knipe crossed in 18th (27:38.45), and Addyson Braun completed the race in 28th (33:13.32).

The girls finished 3-1 on the day, falling to Williamsport 21-37. They defeated Mifflinburg 15-50, South Williamsport and Jersey Shore 15-48.

Middle School Boys: Knipe Sets the Pace

In the Middle School Boys race, Adam Knipe earned Central Mountain’s top spot on the leaderboard. Knipe placed 6th overall, completing the course in 12:16.

Central Mountain’s middle school runners packed together well through the field:

• Hunter Strunk placed 31st (15:40).
• Michael Nestor placed 34th (16:46).
• Harrison Conti finished right behind in 35th (16:49).
• Jaxon Walker placed 40th (18:11).
• Preston Hanley finished 43rd (25:29).

Middle School Girls: Swift Takes Top-6 Spot

The Middle School Girls event saw Rylee Williamson deliver a stand-out performance for Central Mountain. Williamson crossed the line in 6th place overall with a time of 14:09.90.

Teammate Ruby Richard posted a strong 12th-place finish with a time of 14:36.97. They were joined in the finish chute by a group of Wildcat teammates:

• Taylor Halfhill (26th, 15:27.43)
• Bryn Coleman (27th, 15:29.54)
• Morgan Stahl (31st, 15:43.86)
• Caroline Svederus (34th, 16:11.29)
• Chloe Seiffert (36th, 16:34.76)
• Sophia Bird (39th, 16:49.08)
• Ava Metzger (44th, 17:37.76)