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Whitaker Claims L-L League XC Crown

BY MONA STEINHAUER

Lampeter-Strasburg’s Colin Whitaker, leading almost from start to finish, posted a winning time of 15:49.9 to win the Lancaster-Lebanon League cross country championship in Ephrata Tuesday, Oct. 18. His time is the second fastest L-L time since 2008. Only McCaskey’s Nathan Henderson ran faster in that time. He is also believed to be the first L-S runner to claim a league crown.

“I’m thrilled that Colin won but also excited to see how he has progressed as a competitive runner and grown in character and maturity over the past three years,” said head coach Mari Cunningham.

Whitaker’s nemesis, Hempfield’s Aidan Hodge, last year’s winner, finished ten seconds behind though the Knights did claim the team title. The Pioneers were third overall and first among AA schools.

Other top 25 medal winners for the Pioneers included seniors Ben Devine, with a fourth-place finish in 16:29 and Parker Stoner (17th, 17:17).

“Ben is a great example of what it means to set goals and make progress one season at a time,” said Cunningham. “His determination and discipline paid off. He had a great race. Parker and Luke Smith (26th) also ran with determination. Both teams gave their best efforts.”

Other place winners included Andrew Cramer (75), Owen Witmer (78), and Michael Colosi (86).

The girls team finished 13th overall (4th against AA schools) but also brought home a medal when Keira Smecker crossed the line in 21st place (20:35).

“Keira ran a smart race and had a PR,” noted Cunningham. “Merin Kauffman (30th but the eighth freshman to finish) missed medaling but ran well and has had a tremendous season for a freshman.”

Also placing was: Morgan Wright (64), Jocelyn Wolff (100), Olivia Magagna (101), Abby Welchans (103) and Mikayla Coe (106).

GOLF

Ben Wilson competed in the PIAA state golf championships at Penn State on Oct. 17-18 where he battled for a medal. After carding a 77 on Monday, Wilson shook off the cold and windy conditions Tuesday and posted a 72 for a 149 total that left him tied for 10th place.

“Ben wanted to place higher, but he finished his senior year in style, setting numerous school records,” noted head coach Mike Chiodo. “He was the first L-S golfer to qualify for states twice. He shot the lowest round at states of any L-S player. His round of 72 broke the previous record of 74. His 149 is the lowest two-day total for an L-S player. Josh Burg shot a 151 in 2007. He is the first L-S male golfer to finish in the top ten and medal. He is also the first L-S golfer to have multiple rounds in the 60’s during the regular season.

“That’s a fine career,” said Chiodo.

VOLLEYBALL

Poised to start the post-season, the volleyball team split their final league matches and improved to 8-5 on the year.

Thursday, Oct. 13 they suffered a second 3-1 loss to Section Two champ Ephrata, bowing out 25-14, 25-21, 17-25, 25-17.

Megan Platt’s 15 kills and three aces fueled the offense. Emily Mullin, who dished out 29 assists, tied Jenna Hoover with 9 digs and Grace Schonour put up five blocks.

They rebounded with a Monday night, Oct. 17, road win, spoiling Solanco’s homecoming but not before an exciting third set (25-12, 25-11, 25-23).

“Our serving was definitely the key in the first two sets,” said head coach Sharon Mullin. “And then we lost our mojo a little and things got interesting. But we pulled it out and now we look forward to districts.”

L-S trailed the bulk of the third set. Tying the game at 16-16and 22-22. Tied at 23, Solanco served out of bounds and then committed an unforced error to help lift the Pioneers.

Platt against sparked the scoring with 7 aces and 6 kills while Hoover cleaned up on defense with 6 blocks and 8 digs. Mullin added 15 assists.

TENNIS

The Section Two runner-up Pioneers posted mixed results in their recent trip to the District Three 2A Team Tennis championships.

The No. 3 seed Pioneers opened with a dominating 3-0 rout over visiting Harrisburg Academy (No. 6) Wednesday, Oct. 12. Rowan Kimmel worked a shutout at No. 2 singles and Laura Leaman added a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3. The final team point went to Jess Salgado and Emma Williams with a No. 2 doubles shutout.

Both Kylie Gerhardt (No. 1) and Katie Finn and Eve Miller (No. 1 doubles) were winning their matches when L-S secured the needed three points to win.

In the semifinals Monday, Oct. 17 at Hershey Racquet Club, the Pioneers lost a 3-0 result to No. 2 seed Lancaster Country Day (15-0).

“We knew their singles girls were very strong,” said head coach Mark Trach. “Our doubles teams were close but after the three singles losses the match was called.”

Tuesday afternoon, with a chance to qualify for the state tournament, the Pioneers went up against top seed Wyomissing (11-1), who was knocked into the third place match with a 4-1 semifinals loss to Conrad Weiser. The Pioneers (13-3) fell short 3-1.

“Kylie won in singles and Jess and Emma split sets at second doubles,” explained Trach. “Then we lost first doubles and second and third singles.”

BOYS’ SOCCER

In their last game of the regular season, the Pioneers suffered a second straight loss, bowing out 3-2 to Section Four champ Lancaster Mennonite in non-league play Thursday, Oct. 13.

The Blazers scored twice in the first half to take a comfortable lead at the half. The Pioneers cut that lead in half when Landon Rice finished a nice feed from Dan Marcroft in the 68th minute. Two minutes later, Marcroft, on a corner kick, found the back of the net to tie the score. Jack Kelly assisted. Just before the end of regulation, however, the Blazers found the game-winner.

“Another tough loss to a solid team,” said head coach Chris Garraffa. “We had some good opportunities but couldn’t finish.

“Mennonite’s final goal was a quality finish. We broke down defensively, but Luke Brenneman came out to make the save as he should have and it just snuck by him.

“Now we need to get organized for districts,” he added. “We’re the underdog but hungry dogs eat. We’ll find a way.”

FOOTBALL

On the road Friday, Oct. 14, the football team posted its third and most dominating shutout of the season, hanging a 49-zip loss on a 4-4 Elco squad.

Trent Wagner completed 6-of-8 attempts for 219 yards, throwing for a season-high five touchdowns to pace the action. Hunter Hildenbrand was on the receiving end of three of those strikes for 98 yards while Dean Herr grabbed a pair of TD tosses for 110 yards.

“Elco had been playing pretty well,” said head coach Victor Ridenour. “They loaded the box and gave us some one-on-one opportunities in the passing game, and we were able to take advantage.”

Wagner hit Herr with a 55yard toss for Lampeter’s first score of the game. About four minutes later, Wagner found Hildenbrand with a 40-yard strike.

The Pioneers made it 21-0 early in the second quarter when Hildenbrand hauled in a 42-yard TD pass. The duo capped the halftime score with another hook-up, this one a short two-yard toss that pushed the lead to 28-0.

The passing onslaught continued in the third when Wagner launched a 67-yard bomb to Dean Herr that put the game out of reach. Carson Coleman chipped in with a 53-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter while Louie Malatesta’s (55 rushing yards) 4-yard scamper with 8:58 left in the fourth capped the scoring.

Peter Fiorello booted six PATs with Eric Doutrich kicking one.

“The defense as a unit played extremely well,” said Ridenour. “Despite the lopsided score, we were able to limit mistakes and we executed pretty well,” he added. “It was also an opportunity for some of the younger kids to see what varsity speed looks like.”

photo by Mona Steinhauer

In a Section Two victory against Solanco Monday, Oct. 17, in Quarryville, LampeterStrasburg’s Emily Mullin goes up for the dink.

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Lampeter-Strasburg’s Colin Whitaker dominated the LancasterLebanon League Championships Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Ephrata Middle School, posting the second fastest L-L time since 2008, a winning 15:49.9 for more photos visit www.townlively.com

submitted photo

Lampeter-Strasburg’s Ben Wilson (left) and Solanco’s Logan Wagner, in addition to Cedar Crest’s Dylan Ramsey were the top three Lancaster-Lebanon League finishers at the PIAA golf championships held at Penn State Oct. 17-18. Wilson was 10th overall. Wagner finished fourth and Ramsey claimed the crown.