Runners endure race full of bumps

Guy Cipriano

- gciprian@centredaily.com

REEDSVILLE — Penns Valley's Ryan Brown bumped into Indian Valley's Mark Yoder at the finish line. Bellefonte's Danielle Dombek collapsed as she made her way through the chute.

CDT/Christopher Weddle

Penns Valley's Ryan Brown finishes ahead of Indian Valley's Mark Yoder at the Mountain Athletic Conference meet in Milroy on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. CDT/Christopher Weddle

View larger

The visible signs of exertion must mean it’s almost time for the cross country postseason.

Runners from four of Centre County’s five high schools experienced a grueling tuneup for next weekend’s District 6 championships during Wednesday’s Mountain League meet at Indian Valley Middle School.

Brown and Philipsburg- Osceola’s Lauren Simcox led their teams to Nittany Division titles by finishing second in their respective races. The Rams and Lady Mounties also placed second behind Indian Valley in the overall team competitions.

The 3.1-mile race developed into an atypical mid- October test as runners readjusted to warm weather. Many runners, including Brown and teammate Peter Kistler, also endured nagging illnesses.

“The race was nuts,” Brown said. “The first mile I wasn’t sure how I was doing. The second mile was when Peter really told me to go and that’s when I knew I had to turn on the jets.”

Brown completed the same course that will be used during next Saturday’s district meet in 17 minutes, 35 seconds. His final 100 meters proved wackier than the first three miles.

Brown, a sophomore, appeared on his way to a comfortable second-place finish until Yoder started a frantic kick. The duo ran identical times, but Brown was rewarded the second-place team points by out-leaning Yoder at the line. Brown and Yoder brushed against each other at the end and both runners dropped to the hardened grass.

“It was just two guys trying really hard,” Brown said. “We both wanted it. We both dove and collided because we were so tired.”

Every point mattered in a tight team race. The Warriors, who received a first-place finish from Alex Monroe (16:40), edged the Rams 36-43. Kistler finished fifth in 17:54 while Will Lush, Matt Fuller and Michael Decker took 11th through 13th for Penns Valley.

“Everything focuses toward the district race and the kids know that,” Penns Valley coach Terry Glunt said. “This was a step there and a nice opportunity to get on the district course. Running against Indian Valley makes us better.”

The P-O girls also find themselves in a nice spot because of their own emerging sophomore as Simcox ran 21:48 to finish 31 seconds behind champion Brooke King of Indian Valley.

Simcox’s six-day stretch illustrates the rigors of running in central Pennsylvania. P-O competed in last Thursday’s wintry weather at Cambria Heights, where the temperatures hovered in the 30s. Six days later, the Lady Mounties competed in 70-degree weather. Ideal distance running weather lies somewhere between the two extremes.

“I was used to running in the snow and then you come to this really nice meet and you’re really pumped,” Simcox said. “I don’t think we were used to it.”

The Lady Mounties finished with 74 points, 35 behind Indian Valley, yet four ahead of third-place Central, their nearest Nittany Division opponent. P-O also received a fifth-place performance from Mary Komisar, who clocked 22:46.

Dombek joined Simcox and King as the only runners under 22 minutes by running a 21:59. Her ending personified the race as she propelled her body toward the line before stumbling down the chute where exhausted runners gathered.

“She’s really focused on what she needs to do to get to the state meet,” Bellefonte coach Kim Gasper said. “That’s her ultimate goal, whether it happens this year, next year or both. She’s starting to realize it hurts to race and you have to be able to do that.”

Teammates Brittany Catherman (ninth, 23:16) and Molly Cain (14th) joined Dombek in the top 15 as the Lady Red Raiders finished fourth with 82 points. Penns Valley, which was led by Sara Benfer and Morgan Grego’s 10th-and 12th-place showings, respectively, finished fifth. Kera Miller led Bald Eagle Area by running 25:13 and finishing 27th.

Nick Grasser finished ninth in 18:21 and Dave Tanney placed 15th as Bellefonte’s boys team finished third. Brothers Nick and Chris Patrick both ran 19:47 to help P-O finish fifth. Luke Bracken paced BEA’s pack by running 20:17 and finishing 24th.