Central Mountain cross country up and running

WOODWARD TOWNSHIP, PA – The new Central Mountain cross country season will soon be underway and with it a new coach. Scott Bair, head swimming coach of the Central Mountain program, will now direct the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams.

Coach Bair said there are currently 21 team members, 12 boys and nine girls. In addition there are three boys and three girls on the CM Middle School team, the first time that program is officially a PIAA team..

As for the varsity,12 of the 21 athletes are back from last year’s team.  On the girls’ team, senior Abbey Wolfe was a state qualifier last year and is looking to get back to Hershey this year.  According to coach Bair, she has put in a lot of miles this summer in preparation for the season, adding, “I am excited to see how far she can go.”  As for other returnees, “I am looking for big things out of junior Sofia Dressler and senior Autumn Garman this year.  Sofia is just working herself back into shape from an injury, but she is looking great so far.  On the boys’ team, I am looking for seniors Dylan Russell and Skylar Small, as well as sophomore Sam Wible to step up and lead the charge for the Wildcats.”

He said the team focus is for all the athletes to improve from the start of the season to the end.  “We want them to peak at the right time during the season.  We tell them constantly that it isn’t where you start the season, it is where you finish the season that matters.  I am hopeful that we can get a few of our runners to states this year.”

CM home meets will be held at the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven  XC course across the river. The team will have three home meets this year, Sept. 6, Sept. 13, and Oct. 4.

The first meet is on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Montoursville starting at 4:30 p.m.