Courtesy of Shari Miller

The Juniata boys cross country team showed they are one of the best teams in the state by having their top 5 runners in the top 9 places on Thursday, October 20 at the Mifflin Country cross country course.  They defeated Mifflin County 17 – 38, Susquenita 15 – 44, Newport 15 – 50, and Williamsport 20 – 35.  Juniata Senior Logan Strawser won the event with a time of 15:55.  Sophomore Wyatt Stroup finished second in 16:38 while sophomore Joey Bomberger came in shortly after in 3rd place with a 16:46.  Sophomore Wesley Ehrisman placed 7th with a 17:35.  Freshman Levi Zeiders rounded out the scoring for the Indians with his 9th place finish in a time of 17:51.  Freshman Ricky Guante finished in 20th place with a time of 19:08.  Charlie Telfer placed 36th with a time of 21:09.  Juniata Coach Jeff Miller said “I thought the boys ran awesome today.  We used this meet as preparation for next weeks district meet on the same course.  These boys are on a mission and won’t stop until they get there.  Sophomore Charlie Telfer ran a huge PR today.  For Logan, today was another great workout.  I had him run with Joey and Wyatt through the half way point and see what he could come back with in the second half.  To run 15:55 for this workout with the wind is impressive.  The boys are where they need to be going into districts.  We just need to repeat these efforts or a little more in nine days.”

In the girls high school race, sophomore Jessie Bomberger led the Indians with her 6th place finish in a time of 22:27.  Nia Matthews finished in 21st place with a time of 25:24 while Aspen Eby finished in 31st with a time of 29:24.  The girls didn’t have the necessary 5 runners to compete as a team.  Juniata Coach Jeff Miller said “Jessie ran a great race today and if she can improve a little at the district meet she has a chance to make it to states.  Nia Matthews ran a great race today setting a new PR.”

In the boys junior high race, Alex Armstrong won the event posting a time of 10:18 over the 1.65 mile course.  Alejandro Guante placed 13th with a time of 20:20.  Juniata Coach Jeff Miller said “Alex took charge from the gun and ran a great race today.  He has all the tools to be one of the best high school cross country runners in the state in a couple years.”

The Juniata girls junior high cross country team was the only school with the necessary 5 runners to score as a team.  They were led by Sylvia Brubaker with a 1st place finish in a time of 10:44.  Carolyn Heidenreich was 2nd with a time of 12:10.  Drue Hoffman finish right behind her in 3rd place with a time of 12:16.  Calla Mianulli was 5th with a time of 13:06.  Sylvi Gaisior placed 11th for the Indians with a time of 16:15.  Juniata Coach Jeff Miller said “Our girls junior high team ran great tonight.  I didn’t have Sylvia or Carolyn run all out because of the big race on Saturday.  It’s been a great first season for our junior high programs.”

The junior high boys and girls teams compete on Saturday, October 22nd at the PA Middle School Cross Country Championship held at Lock Haven University.  The high school teams will compete next at the district 6 Championships held in Reedsville on Saturday, October 29th.