Ketler, 16, tops 2K field
Running competitively has become a big part of Seth Ketler's life, so it was only natural for the Cranberry Township resident to be drawn to the Butler Road Race.
Making his first appearance at the 42nd annual event Saturday, Ketler, 16, finished in first place in the men's 2K race with a time of six minutes, 19 seconds. The effort was just eight seconds from Gary Garman's record of 6:11 in 2000.
“I knew winning today was a possibility,” he said, “but it really wasn't my goal. I didn't train specifically for this race. I just wanted to get a race in. I'm preparing for a long cross country season.”
Ketler edged last year's champion, Cranberry Township's Andrew Mascio, by seven seconds.
The former recently turned in a solid sophomore season for Seneca Valley's track and field team. He was a member of the Raiders' 4x800-meter relay quartet that won the WPIAL Class AAA boys title before placing seventh at the state championship meet last month.
Ketler said several members of the Seneca Valley Cross Country boosters were already involved with the Butler Road Race and he followed their lead.
“The biggest challenge was that hill (on Main Street) near the end,” said Ketler. “With about 600 meters to go, it took away a lot of my legs, but I was able to push through it.”
Back problems certainly don't aid a runner's chances of success, but Krista Snyder isn't about to give up the sport she loves.For the second straight year, the 23-year-old resident of West Sunbury won the women's 2K, this time with a finish of 8:30.Snyder previously competed in the heptathlon while enrolled at Ursinus College, near Philadelphia. She owns the school record in the event with 4,401 points.“I dealt with a lower-back injury throughout college,” she said. “It's definitely tough. I've been trying to keep up with my training, but it's been for lower-mileage races. I may do a couple of 5Ks later this summer.”Snyder did not take the lead until the second half of Saturday's race.“Down the hill at the start, I tried to keep the leaders in sight. I knew the turn-around point is where I would make my move.”After taking the lead, Snyder held onto it while coming back up Main Street. She knew that's the last place to fall behind.“Going up the hill, it's a lot tougher to regain the lead if someone takes it from you,” said Snyder, who finished 22 seconds in front of Vanessa Drohan, 13, of Butler.“Coming back from my injury, the chances of me winning just depended on who else was out today. I'm trying not to push myself too far.”
