HS Cross Country: Dando, Espinal capture Cardinal Clash titles
North Schuylkill's Genevieve Dando takes an early lead during the Cardinal Clash girls' race Sept. 13 at Pine Grove Area High School. Dando went on to win in 21:13. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
PINE GROVE — The Schuylkill League’s best runners are starting to emerge.
North Schuylkill freshman Genevieve Dando and Shenandoah Valley senior Robert Espinal have earned places in that lead pack.
On a sun-splashed Homecoming Saturday morning at Pine Grove Area High School, those two runners took top honors in their respective races at the annual Cardinal Clash.
The Clash is the usual kickoff of a day-long slate of home sporting events at Pine Grove. Every PGA program, save golf, hosts an event as part of the Homecoming celebration. The traditional pancake breakfast starts the day, and the Panther Valley at Pine Grove football game caps the festivities.
Dando went off first, taking a sizeable lead during the first few tenths of a mile. The race starts in an end zone on the football field, races to the other end of the gridiron, then takes a sharp right turn onto the all-weather track before leaving Cardinal Stadium. The runners return to the stadium track to complete the 3.1-mile circuit. Dando dominated throughout, clocking a 21:13 to take the gold. Tamaqua’s Shaylee Gormley (21:52) placed second, and Blue Mountain’s Emma Lazarchick (22:00) finished third.
“It went nicely, and all the girls did amazing,” Dando said. “It hasn’t been too bad (transitioning to varsity). I do train a lot. It’s definitely (getting) a lot easier, and with every race I get more experience.”
Blue Mountain placed five runners among the top 15 to capture the team title with 39 points. Tamaqua finished second with 76.
Later, Espinal proved just as dominant on the boys’ side, covering the 5,000 meters in 16:54. Northern Lebanon’s Luke Hontz took second in 17:26, and Tamaqua’s Aidan Elston placed third in 17:27, just a second ahead of Blue Mountain’s Francesco Carr (17:28).
Northern Lebanon won the team crown with 44 points. Blue Mountain (60) finished second.
“My expectations were correct,” Espinal said. “I wanted to run under 17 minutes.”
Espinal, running in just his second season, said he enjoys the camaraderie of the sport, how runners from different teams support and congratulate each other after a tough race.
