Knoch’s ‘motivated’ Carter French ready to chase one last WPIAL Cross Country Championships medal
Cross country is the most grueling of high school sports in Knoch head coach Shawn McAnallen’s eyes.
And Knight senior Carter French is perfectly cast for it.
“No other sport — soccer, football, any of them — requires the amount of running that cross country does,” McAnallen said. “These kids run 45 to 60 miles a week, through rain, snow, sleet, mud, heat, whatever the elements, and they’re out there on a course all by themselves.
“They are the most dedicated athletes out there. I’ll put Carter up against anybody when it comes to that.”
French has been a distance runner since middle school. He won virtually every race he competed in during those years.
“He broke every middle school record out there,” McAnallen said.
Coach and runner said French faced an adjustment once he got to high school against better runners.
“But it didn’t bother me all that much,” French said. “I’ve always loved the challenge. I’m motivated by the challenge.”
As French progressed through high school, success followed. He placed fifth in the WPIAL Cross Country Championships as a sophomore. He placed second last year and was named to the Butler County all-star team.
As the 2026 WPIAL meet approaches Oct. 29, French has his eyes set on another big finish. Knoch competes in Class 2A.
“Realistically, I’m probably shooting for second again,” he said. “I don’t think anybody is beating Jonah Montagnese of Quaker Valley. That guy is in a class by himself. The race will be for second, and I believe I can get there.”
French’s fastest time this year is 16 minutes. His personal best is 15:31, run at last year’s TSTCA meet.
His immediate goal is to crack 15:30.
“The biggest part of the season is coming up,” French said. “I’m feeling great right now.”
French, who has a 4.3 GPA, recently committed to Robert Morris University, where he will major in biology while running cross country and track and field.
He runs the 1,600 and 3,200 meters for Knoch track and field.
“I’ll be pushing myself to keep improving my times,” he said. “I’m hoping to break the cross country record (at Robert Morris) and break four minutes in the mile. There’s always something to shoot for.”
French does not compete in other sports at Knoch. He’s always been a runner.
And McAnallen said he’s developed into a leader for his high school cross country teammates.
“The way he trains, goes about his business, prepares for races outside of practice, the other team members look up to him,” McAnallen said. “The underclassmen are following his example, and he’s making everyone on the team a better runner that way.
“Carter has developed into a mature runner who meets expectations. I won’t have him here as a leader next year, and I’m gonna miss that.”
French said he enjoys pushing teammates to get better and takes pride in being a leader.
“You run as an individual, but you’re part of a team,” he said. “I like that aspect of the sport.”
