NO. LEHIGH: 'Dogs have winning record
Northern Lehigh cross country coach Dave Oertner says being the home team in the sport isn't an advantage.
"In our sport, being the home team can be a disadvantage," he said, noting that the coach spends time getting things ready, making sure the course is okay, and assuring the scoring and paperwork is in order.
"There's not a lot of time to spend with the kids before the meet," he said.
Oertner, who is the head coach of both the boys and girls cross country teams, saw both squads do well in a seven-team event held in Slatington.
Other teams participating were Palmerton, Notre Dame of Green Pond, Southern Lehigh, Palisades, Moravian Academy, and Pen Argyl.
Notre Dame competed directly against Palmerton, Notre Dame, Moravian Academy, and Pen Argyl. Both the boys and girls won 3 matchups and lost 2.
Palmerton was against Northern Lehigh, Southern Lehigh, and Palisades. The boys team was 2-1 but the girls squad didn't have enough girls finishing and lost all three contests.
Oertner said he was satisfied with the finish by both teams. "I'm not disappointed in their performances, but I'm not ecstatic, either."
He said he had one member of his boys team hurt an ankle on the course while another failed to finish. With the lack of depth, this proved tough for his squad.
Regarding the girls team, he said, "We ran okay. I don't think that we had a great day. We had a fair day."
He said because of the strains on the host coach for such an event, he feels the players also feel the stress.
For the Northern Lehigh boys, Austin Danish finished seventh of all schools competing in a time of 18:22:75. Teammate Scott Showak came in at 18th, with a time of 19:03:83.
The top runner for the Palmerton boys was David Fitzpatrick, who was 13th on the 5k course with a time of 18:50:47. Other Bombers in the top 20 were Aaron Papay at 15, and Mike Horvath at 17th.
The best runner for Northern Lehigh on the girls team was Samantha Corcoran, who finished 12th in a time of 22:09:15. Rachel Barnett finished 17th.
Palmerton's Andrea Stevko had an impressive performance, taking seventh place with a time of 21:30:53. She completed the run more than three minutes ahead of her closest teammate.
In Colonial League standings of the boys, Notre Dame went 3-0 yesterday to put their record at 24-2. Northern Lehigh is 11-14, and Palmerton is 9-17.
Notre Dame is also at the top of the Colonial League in the girls' division. With three wins yesterday, the team is now 25-1. Northern Lehigh girls are 13-12 while Palmerton is 7-19.
GIRLS
Moravian Academy 26, Northern Lehigh 29
Notre Dame GP 15, Northern Lehigh 44
Northern Lehigh 15, Palmerton 50
Northern Lehigh 20, Pen Argyl 37
Palisades 15, Palmerton 50
Southern Lehigh 15, Palmerton 50
1. Chelsea Rivenbark (SL), 20:21:27; 2. Casey McGinty (SL) 20:40:39; 3. Rebecca Askins-Gast (Mor) 20:53:08; 4. Erika Edwards (ND) 21:17:38; 5. Laura Keller (Palisades) 21:21:49; 6. Katie Downing (ND) 21:21:85; 7 Andrea Stevko (Palm) 21:30:53; 8. Colleen Kelly (ND) 21:33:71; 9. Amanda Megee (ND) 21:52:21; 10. Rachel Constant (ND) 21:52:54.
BOYS
Northern Lehigh 26, Moravian Academy 29
Notre Dame GP 19, Northern Lehigh 39
Palmerton 26, Northern Lehigh 29
Northern Lehigh 15, Pen Argyl 50
Palmerton 27, Palisades 28
Southern Lehigh 20, Palmerton 38
1. Eric Busher (ND) 17:44:93; 2. Mike Martinsky (ND) 18:00:82; 3. Ryan O'Malley (SL) 18:07:41; 4. Jacob Cermak (SL) 18:14:00; 5. Zach Bartleson (PA) 18:19:79; 6. Collin Blaydon (Palisades) 18:20:99; 7. Austin Danish (NL) 18:22:75; 8. Dave Pruszynski (ND) 18:29:29; 9. Alex Crain (Mor) 18:39:64; 10. James Elphick (PA) 18:46:06.
