PIAA Cross Country: Devils’ Espinal places 12th in Class A boys
Shenandoah Valley's Robert Espinal competes in the Class A boys' race at the PIAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday at the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey. Espinal placed 12th to earn an All-State medal. (Photo courtesy of Shenandoah Valley Athletics)
HERSHEY — Robert Espinal accomplished something that no Shenandoah Valley runner ever has.
He earned a state medal in cross country.
The senior standout placed 12th Saturday in the Class A boys’ race at the PIAA Cross Country Championships. Espinal clocked a 17:07 on the hilly, challenging 5,000-meter layout at the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey.
“He was looking to cap off the season with a really strong finish at states, and he did just that,” Shenandoah Valley coach Tony Pytko said. “I can’t stress enough the amazing person he is. His character might be as good as his running. He’s there at every practice, waits for teammates to finish, waits for the junior high runners to finish, and he cheers them all on.
“There is a language barrier, but he goes beyond the barrier by his enthusiasm for running and by supporting his team,” Pytko added. “He is there for our last junior high runner. He waits at the finish line for them to finish before celebrating his individual accomplishments. He’s always thinking of other people.”
Last season, Espinal placed 63rd in 18:11, meaning he chopped 1:04 off his 2024 time in Hershey. This season, he captured Schuylkill League and District 11 gold on the way to states.
The top 25 runners in each class became PIAA medalists and are recognized as All-State.
Northwest Area’s Michael Fritz won the race in 15:59.
Elk Lake topped the 22-team field, taking the team gold with 61 points. Nativity placed 17th with 396 points, while Marian finished 19th with 503.
Junior Shane Meyer led Nativity, finishing 65th in 18:23. Junior teammate Wyatt Hylka took 117th in 19:04.
For the Colts, Wade Eroh paced the squad, finishing 115th in 19:02.
CLASS AA BOYS
Blue Mountain senior Francesco Carr led the locals, placing 65th in 17:46.
Eagles teammate Brody Moyer, junior, took 93rd in 18:09, and Tamaqua sophomore Aidan Elston placed 122nd in 18:24.
Quaker Valley’s Jonah Montagnese took the gold medal in 16:00.
Hughesville won the team title, 135-141 over Quaker Valley.
CLASS 3A BOYS
Cedar Crest’s Travis Furmanski broke the tape in 15:34, the fastest time of any of the 751 boys who competed.
North Penn edged defending champion State College for the team title, 115-123.
CLASS A GIRLS
Minersville senior Marley Zimmerman led the local contingent, placing 108th in 22:50.
Tri-Valley sophomore Anna Cook finished 128th in 23:06, and Mahanoy Area senior Felicia Bro took 137th in 23:13.
Mercer Area’s Maggie Jewell won the race in 19:28.
Shady Side Academy captured the team title with 122 points. Our Lady of Sacred Heart placed second with 128. Minersville finished 20th in the 22-team field with 523 points. Schuylkill Haven placed 21st with 598. Junior Ayla Essler-Kiryaman paced the Hurricanes, finishing 179th in 24:15.
CLASS AA GIRLS
Saucon Valley senior Virginia Kraus won her fourth straight state title. She clocked a 17:48, the best girls’ time of the 737 finishers across all three classes.
Erie Cathedral Prep repeated as team champion, 74-123 over runner-up Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
North Schuylkill freshman Genevieve Dando led the locals, placing 88th in 21:39. Tamaqua freshman Shaylee Gormley took 106th in 21:56, and Blue Mountain junior Vanessa Frasnelli finished 133rd in 22:19.
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Emmaus’ Madelyn McCartney took the gold in 18:17.
Norwin dominated the team standings with 54 points. Downingtown West finished second with 147.
