Pennsylvania had a strong showing at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. Three PA high schoolers made the trip out west for the national meet at Glendoveer Golf Course, and came away with strong performances.
Leading the way was Katie Dammer of Abington Heights. The senior and Georgetown signee went out very aggressively and it paid off. She finished 23rd in a time of 18:13.
Dammer came through the mile in 5:27 in seventh place---a sign that she was ready to compete. She hung in the field well to become the fourth Pennsylvania girl in the meet's history to place inside the top 30. Only Downingtown West's Aislinn Devlin (ninth in 2015) and Unionville's Courtney Smith (tenth in 2013) placed higher.
The two Pennsylvania high schoolers in the field closed out their respective careers on a high note. Liam Conway of Owen J. Roberts placed 83rd in a time of 16:18. Spencer Smucker of West Chester Henderson ran 16:23 to finish 94th.
Both runners qualified for NXN via top five individuals finishes at last Saturday's NXR Northeast in Wappingers Falls, New York.
Former Carlisle standout Sam Affolder had a huge day, helping his Loudoun Valley squad win the national team title with 89 points. Affolder placed 23rd in a time of 15:37. The junior competed for Carlisle during his sophomore season last year, but his family moved south and Affolder transferred.
That Loudoun Valley squad opened its season in Pennsylvania winning PTXC9 with just 27 points. The Vikings took the first four spots at PTXC led by Affolder's individual win.
More photos and interviews from Portland are on the way soon!