20 Butler County runners in PIAA cross country meet

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

November 04, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM High School

Karns City cross country coach Don Loughry knows the significance of seeing a runner advancing to the PIAA Championships.

He also knows looking at it from a pressure standpoint is not a good idea.

"I think of it as a reward for a job well done," said Loughry, whose boys team finished second at last Saturday's District 9 Championships to advance to Saturday's finals in Hershey.

"But, at some time, you hope each kid runs their best time of the season. You get caught up in the numbers. There's almost 300 kids in each race," he added.

The Gremlins boys team will be among a handful of area runners taking part in the state championships.

Only three, Butler's James Rogerson and Ray Melder and Knoch's Artie Black, will compete in the Class AAA boys finals.

Rogerson was ninth, Melder 24th and Black 27th at the WPIAL Championships last Thursday at Slippery Rock University to advance.

"I thought James would be a little higher, maybe a top 5, but he did well," said Butler coach John Neff. "It was a far and different day considering it usually gets colder and colder, it was warm.

"Ray ran extremely well, better than I hoped. I thought he'd qualify, but he did so in convincing fashion. He ran his best time there (at SRU)," Neff added.

Neff also had two runners, Ryan Edmiston and Zach Vavro, qualify last year, but not only has two different runners, but this pair has their own style.

"We're looking for under 17 minutes. Obviously, they're looking to beat the guys from last year so I can see top 50.

"It could be raining (Saturday) and that plays to their abilities. They're exact opposites of the guys last year. Zach and Ryan were speed runners and they like the conditions of a track. This course is rugged. They're like mountain goats," Neff added.

And Neff has the same idea as Loughry when it comes to a game plan.

"I tell them it's the same length course. Go up and have some fun," Neff added.

Black became the first Knoch male runner since 1988 to qualify for states.

"He has a good understanding of what to expect," said Knoch coach Wess Brahler. "He knows he's not in the upper class, but finishing where he did at the WPIAL race shows he's a very good runner, especially in Class AAA."

Black ran a faster race at the SRU course recently at the Tri-State Invitational, but played the WPIAL finals race conservatively, just to qualify.

"He went out safe, then gutted it out," said Brahler. "Next year, he should be much more relaxed. That's why there's no pressure this year. He's fresh, relaxed with no expectations, just go out and let it loose.

"He feels he's ready to go," Brahler added

In the Class AA races, Freeport will be sending five runners - Shane Sarver and Brendan Reilly in the boys meet and Melanie Lutz, Kristen Prazenica and Kirsten Knappenberger in the girls race.

Sarver finished fourth at last Thursday's WPIAL Championships while Reilly was 20th.

Mars' Cody Kier advanced from that race, placing 14th overall.

Also taking part in the boys Class AA race Saturday will be Slippery Rock's Clint Orloski, who placed 16th at the District 10 Championships last Saturday at Buhl Park and Union's Brett Moore, who placed sixth at the District 9 Championships last Saturday.

The latter was the same race the Gremlins' squad qualified. They tied Northern Potter for first place in team competition, but lost on a tie-breaking procedure. Both teams still advanced.

The Gremlins will be represented by Travis Hendell, Chris Harmon, Andrew Harmon, Chris Prokay, Travis Fiscus, Justin Smith and Eli Good.

This will be Fiscus's third trip to states, having qualified last year individually and two years ago as a member of the team.

"The kids are looking forward to it," said Loughry. "It's tough though. Teams that come out of District 9 finish in the lower half of the state meet."

In the WPIAL Class AA girls race, Melanie Lutz was 14th while Prazenica and Knappenberger both finished in the top 30 to advance.

They will be joined in the state finals with Moniteau's Alyssa Deal, who finished 11th in the District 9 girls championships and Karns City's Genny Davis, who was 14th.