North Catholic’s Meeuf, Knoch’s French earn runner-up spots at WPIAL cross country championships
Unable to defend the individual district title she won as a sophomore, Madeline Meeuf watched last year’s WPIAL Class 2A girls cross country championships while leaning on crutches with a brace hugging her knee.
Not this year.
Meeuf, a North Catholic senior, finished the same race in 19 minutes, 22.2 seconds, earning second place and helping the Trojanettes win the meet as a team on a cold and windy Thursday at McKeesport’s White Oak Park.
As a junior, Meeuf dislocated and tore a ligament in her knee on training run. Meeuf didn’t care much about where she placed this time around, she added, as long as she could say she left it all on the course.
“If I would have had a good race and the team wouldn’t have won, that would’ve dictated my attitude more than how I did individually,” Meeuf said. “I didn’t care. I just wanted to do my best to contribute to the team win.”
Senior Sydney Dunn (4th, 19:28.5) and Tessa Driehorst (27th, 20:40.0) and sophomores Anna Morris (9th, 19:56.0), Caroline Sell (11th, 19:57.6) and Annie Puhalla (22nd, 20:27.1) helped North Catholic take home the crown.
Meeuf has a wall where she keeps her medals. This one, of course, means a lot to her.
“I’ll hang it up there to … look at it and kind of remind myself what putting in all this hard work can earn me and how it doesn’t just affect me, but also affects my team,” Meeuf said.
“She showed a lot of grit and a lot of determination to get back to the level that she was at,” Trojanettes coach Tim Souders said. “It’s great to see her put it all together and get back to where she was.”
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Madeline Meeuf (3326) placed second with a time of 19:22.20 to qualify to run in the PIAA Cross Country State meet in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Carter French placed second with a time of 15:36.60 to qualify to run in the PIAA Cross Country State meet in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Hailey Long placed fourth with a time of 18:26.50 to qualify to run in the PIAA Cross Country State meet in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Zari Golojuh, left, hugs Macie McLister after the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Hailey Long high-fives coach Dan Carlino after qualifying for the PIAA Cross Country State meet in the WPIAL 3A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Brendan Eicher (2715) took third place with a time of 15:39.60 to qualify to run in the PIAA Cross Country State meet in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler, Mars, and Seneca Valley competed in the WPIAL 3A boys Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport, Knoch, and North Catholic competed in the WPIAL 2A girls Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at White Oak Park, McKeesport. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
— On the boys’ side, Knoch junior Carter French (15:36.6) finished second, behind Quaker Valley junior Jonah Montagnese (15:08.7) and in front of North Catholic sophomore Jack Steineman (15:38.3).
“The WPIAL is so talented right now, so I’ll take a second-place finish, for sure,” French said. “Knowing the history of the WPIAL and being able to say I’m a WPIAL runner-up is pretty huge.”
Steineman’s Trojans finished on Quaker Valley’s heels as district runners-up, reaching next Saturday’s PIAA title meet.
Senior Tyler Carroll (4th, 15:53.3), junior Victor Wagner (66th, 18:06.4) and sophomores Jacob Birchok (41st, 17:33.7) and Jack Davison (63rd, 18:04.6) chipped in for North Catholic.
This marks the first time both of North Catholic’s cross country teams have qualified for states during the same season. Steineman was equally thrilled with his effort and has another medal to add to the rack in his bedroom.
“I’d probably (say it’s) the (most) prized medal that I have,” Steineman said. “I’ll put it in the center of them all.”
While French chose to stay patient and wait until the last half-mile or so to try to jump into first place, he said it looked like Steineman wanted to try to keep up with Montagnese.
Steineman said he powered through the initial mile faster than he should’ve. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was exhausted and was tired of sucking in cold air. He finished 17th at the same event last year.
“It’s a very big improvement,” Steineman said. “Now I want to improve even more, (take) second next year, maybe. Hopefully I can take the championship home senior year.”
Eicher, a Golden Tornado junior, went home with third-place in the WPIAL Class 3A boys race, crossing the finish line in 15:39.6. Norwin sophomore Benjamin McBride (15:27.8) finished first.
Eicher worked within a pack of 7-8 opponents who were pushing the pace. That convoy stuck together until the third mile, when McBride kicked it into high gear.
“I ran a whole minute faster than I did at this race last year, so I’m really happy with the way this race went,” Eicher said. “It means a lot just because Butler’s program in particular has had a really nice history with some really fast runners. It was cool to kind of be up there.”
Eicher’s teammates, seniors Logan Rogers (12th, 16:04.5) and Ethan Thomas (13th, 16:05.1) also earned their way to the state championship meet.
Mars junior Hailey Long (4th, 18:26.5) had the best finish of any Butler County runner during the WPIAL Class 3A girls title race. Butler sophomore Zari Golojuh (27th, 19:31.8) will join her at Hershey’s Parkview Cross Country Course.
Knoch junior Natalie Zolinas (6th, 19:42.8) punched her ticket there during the Class 2A girls’ race. Freeport sophomore David Kristine (14th, 16:38.0) and Knoch sophomore Connor McCool (23rd, 16:57.9) did the same on the boys’ side.
Seneca Valley senior Riley McGee (23rd, 16:12.1) will represent his school at the PIAA Class 3A boys event.
