Pope John Paul II Wins Boys District 1 XC Championship

ROYERSFORD, PA — Pope John Paul II placed three runners in the top seven in the PIAA District 1 AA championships at Lehigh University on Friday, leading them to a narrow one-point victory over Holy Ghost Preparatory.

Seniors Shane McKeon and Michael Florig led the way for PJP over the rolling hills of Goodman campus in Bethlehem, placing 3rd and 4th in respective times of 17:08 and 17:22.

Jack Phillips (7th, 17:56), Kaden Buchler (14th, 18:09), and Jack Brosius (22nd, 18:46) rounded out PJP's scorers. The team had 50 points, beating out Holy Ghost's 51 and Lower Moreland's 76.

The boys will now advance to the AA state championship in Hershey.

PJP girls, meanwhile, placed 5th overall. They were led by Julia Costello, who placed 17th overall in 21:20.

In the AAA race, their first since winning the PAC-10 meet for the third year running, Spring-Ford's boys team placed fourth, advancing on to the state meet. They impressed with a race-best 34 second spread from their first to fifth runners. Jacob McKenna led the way in 23rd with a time of 16:08.

Spring-Ford's girls team also turned in an excellent showing, placing sixth overall. Two runners, Gabby Bamford (3rd) and Emily Smith (23rd) advanced to the state meet as individuals.

Patch file photo