Nathaniel Lerch clocked a time of 17:15 on the 5k course cruising through the tape without a trailer. Clarion’s usual tight pack of runners that recently scored second through sixth place against Karns City and Clarion-Limestone last week and are the recipe for Clarion’s success were scattered in Thursday’s race.

Sophomore Gavin Hoover turned a blazing fast 18:28 in fourth place, senior Nick Frederick placed eighth place in 19:09, sophomore Keagan Phillips placed 10th in 19:18, and rounding out the top five scorers was junior Donnie Cunningham, who placed 15th in 20:13.

Senior Nate Datko was not far off the pace of Cunningham at 20:24, Senior Alex Cussins ran a 22:19, sophomore Philip Bartley clocked in at 24:28, sophomore Milton McElravy cruised in at 25:34 and Daniel Griebel finished the 5K in 29:36.

The boys varsity finished behind Cranberry with a score of 23-35.

Clarion’s girls also competed with returning state runner sophomore Bella Scott placing second in the varsity girls’ event in a time of 22:56. The second Lady Cat runner to cross the line was sophomore Grace Adams in fifth place in 27:14, Aaliyah Dittman finished 8th in 27:59, junior Ali Stivanson finished in 10th place in 30:50, and rounding out the scoring top five was sophomore Grace Schmader crossing the line in 11th place in 31:18. Rounding out the girls’ varsity was Abby Frederick in 31:20 and Grace Troese in 37:55.

The varsity girls were outscored by Cranberry 21-36.

The Junior High boys’ Clarion harriers were the only team to outscore Cranberry 20-41.

Brady Pierce finished second overall to lead the Bobcats to the road to victory.

The Junior High Clarion girls had a first-place finish breaking the tape by eighth-grader Gia Babington.

The girls lost to Cranberry 20-35.

Clarion’s varsity runners will face Cranberry again amongst 30 teams competing Saturday at the PIAA Foundation Race in Hershey Pa. The Bobcat boys are ranked sixth out of 30 teams and the girls are ranked 17th out of 30 teams.

Story submitted by Matt Lerch