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Baxter, Solis-Morales Lead Cross Country Teams

BY MONA STEINHAUER

After a preseason home scrimmage, the harrier teams officially opened the season at the Northampton Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 3. The girls’ team finished 12th out of 31 teams while the boys were 15th in a field of 35. Emma Baxter (22nd in 20:02.10) and Anthony Solis Morales (17th in 16:34.2) were medal winners.

“Emma and Anthony ran aggressive races and their hard work over the summer is paying off,” said head coach Andrew Musselman. “We had a number of personal bests.”

Daria Neaves (49th) cracked the top 50 while Christine Wagner, Olivia Singleton, Wyatt Tomison, Isaac Esh and Jimmy Hartigan were in the top 100. Over 200 runners competed.

Stella Woy, Lexi Groff, Ian Althoff, Curtis Hills, and Thomas Houghton also contributed.

In their first regular meet of the season, the girls suffered a 26-31 loss to hosting L-S and dropped a 23-25 result to Ephrata last Tuesday, Sept. 6. “We were a little flat today,” said Musselman. “We were hoping it would be a little closer, that’s OK. There are more chances to improve.”

Baxter broke up Ephrata’s top three with a second-place finish. Neaves settled for 6th, Wagner was 10th and Singleton (14th) and Woy (19th) rounded out the top counters.

Solis Morales also finished second, disrupting Lampeter’s top four. Tomison (7th) and Hartigan (9th) were close behind with Esh finishing 12th and Rusty Armstrong capping the scoring in 18th place.

TENNIS

A 7-0 shutout over Octorara on Friday, Sept. 2 pushed Solanco’s record to 2-2 as they move into Section Two play. Destiny Langley and Adrienne Dolan picked up an 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles while Grace Pursel and Ava Peiffer teamed for an 8-1 win. Kiara Chmeilecki and Hailey Stanton posted an 8-0 shutout at No. 3.

The winning continued in singles play as both Peiffer (No. 4) and Pursel (No. 3) earned shutouts. Dolan posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 2 and Langley won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1.

“Our top three singles players are the same but in different positions,” said head coach Annie Hammel. “Our doubles play has been more competitive this year. The girls are gaining confidence and the serving is more consistent.”

The girls also defeated Annville-Cleona 6-1 on Aug. 25.

GOLF

Three matches into their short five-match season, the golf team sits in second place in Section Two after a disappointing showing on their home course, Tanglewood Manor. Warwick (322) and CV (329) both slipped in front of the Mules (330).

“It was a disappointing day on our home course,” said head coach Greg Minnich. “On the bright side, our team score was 15 strokes better than last year’s score at home and Anna Sexton and Luke Herr both had career best rounds.”

Logan Wagner’s 76 tied for second place. Brayden Herr (81), Sexton (85), and Herr (88) rounded out the counters. Hudson Brown (89) and Wyatt Landis (95) also competed.

FOOTBALL

Coming off a 40-35 thriller over Lampeter-Strasburg and regaining the Milk Jug Trophy, the Mules earned their second win of the season with a solid 21-7 nod over visiting Cocalico, Friday, Sept. 2.

Solanco took the lead on its first possession and never looked back. Josiah Forren, who led the team with 14 solo tackles, scored from two yards out after Jaden Summers recovered a high punt snap.

Aden Herr’s (9 tackles) pick and 34-yard return gave Solanco a 14-0 cushion with 8:20 left in the second quarter and Brody Mellinger’s (3-4, 88 yards, 58 yards rushing) 58yard strike to Noah Baber made it 21-zip before the half.

The Eagles got on board with just under five minutes left in the game while Nick Defrancesco’s interception at the final buzzer sealed the victory.

FIELD HOCKEY

Solanco opened its season on a high note, topping Exeter Township 3-1 behind a pair of goals from Sadie Cook and another from Kate Kauffman on Aug. 31. Flash forward three days later and Solanco sits a 1-3 after suffering losses to Kennard-Dale (7-3 on Sept. 1) and Red Lion (5-0 on Sept. 3).

photo by Mona Steinhauer

At Lampeter-Strasburg last Tuesday, Sept. 6, Solanco’s Emma Baxter takes an early lead over the Pioneer’s top two runners.

See Sports pg 7

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Solanco’s Ava Peiffer, playing No. 4, picked up a straight set shutout win over Octorara’s Kaitlyn Lopez to help propel the visitors to a 7-0 victory over the Braves.

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Solanco’s Anthony Solis Morales, Wyatt Tomison and James Hartigan keep an early pace with the hosting Pioneers last Tuesday, Sept. 6.

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