Winner Qualifies for States as Central Mountain Boys XC Concludes Strong Season at District Championships
MIFFLIN COUNTY-The Central Mountain Boys Cross Country Team participated in the PIAA AAA District 6 Championships at Indian Valley Elementary Center. Junior Damien Winner led the Wildcats in the varsity division, just as he has all season, delivering a smart race from start to finish. Winner secured 9th place with a personal record (PR) time of 16:32.60, earning him a spot in the PIAA AAA State Championships on November 2 at the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey.
“Damien ran a very strategic race today,” said Coach Bair. “Our focus was on positioning rather than time, and he put himself in a great spot from the gun and never looked back. I’m very proud of the effort he has put in all season.”
Senior Sam Wible capped off his Wildcat career with a 17th-place finish in 17:24.60. Junior Riley Gonzales came in 35th with a time of 18:27.20. Freshmen Shane Walker and Latrell Walker wrapped up their debut varsity seasons with new PRs, placing 38th (18:54.70) and 40th (19:19.70), respectively. Freshman Xian Deems had a stellar season, finishing 41st in 19:47.90, while sophomore Shayden Hill finished 42nd with a time of 20:21.60. The Wildcats finished 6th overall as a team.
In the JV race, nine Wildcats took the line for their season’s final event. Seniors Cody Etters and Cory Matejovich both achieved new PRs in their last cross country race; Etters finished 30th with a PR of 20:02.20, and Matejovich came in 61st at 23:57.70. Sophomore Gabe Houser placed 34th with a PR of 20:20.20, while junior Jaxon Hardy finished 43rd with a time of 20:52.30. Freshmen Cody Cardinal, Brayden Bird, Myles Winslow, and Liam Darwin also set PRs, finishing with times of 21:30.90, 21:37.50, 21:43.00, and 22:48.30, respectively. Junior Rhys Swift rounded out the race in 64th place with a time of 24:44.80.
