JEFFERSON TWP — Sammy Jo Barnes had some big goals for her senior season this fall for the Knoch girls cross country team.

She accomplished some of them.

The Knights won the section for the first time in the 32-year history of the program and Barnes was fourth at the WPIAL championships, helping her team place third and qualify as a group for the PIAA meet.

But Barnes had a bittersweet race in Hershey.

She ran a personal-best time of 20 minutes, 14.20 seconds on the course, but placed 29th.

“It was a lot faster race than last year,” Barnes said. “I have to remind myself it was a 34-second (personal record) and one place better than I did the year before.”

Still, Barnes wanted more.

She'll get a chance to extend her cross country career at Dickinson College in Carlisle.

Barnes committed there recently and will also be a member of the track and field team for the Red Devils.

Barnes earned a seventh-place medal at the WPIAL Class AAA finals in the 3,200.

“I definitely have a love-hate relationship (with track and field),” Barnes said, chuckling.

Barnes, though, said she is looking forward to competing virtually year-round at the college level.

She'll run cross county in the fall, indoor track and field in the winter and then transition to the outdoor campaign in the spring.

Barnes hopes to stick with her strength.

“The longer distance the better,” she said.

Barnes credited her work with Knoch cross country and track and field coach Wess Brahler for her development.

Barnes improved her times every year and said she'd continue to get advice from her high school coach while in college.

“He helped me tremendously getting ready for the college level,” Barnes said.

Brahler said Barnes is just getting started.

“She's still untapped,” he said.

“(Dickinson) is a great fit for her,” Brahler added. “She doesn't have to go in there and carry the team.”

Barnes has also zeroed in on what she wants to do after college.

“I'm fascinated by true crime podcasts,” Barnes said. “I want to do something in government or law or the FBI and Dickinson has great programs for that.

“I want to be involved in that world. I want to stop the bad guys behind the scenes.”

Barnes wanted to pursue a career in writing, but changed her mind recently.

“I like to write,” she said. “I like to talk more.”