Palmerton junior Connor Hibell and Northwestern senior Sophia Cornell return after earning Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys and Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year awards, respectively, last season.

JIM THORPE

Head coach - Marie Rosahac (6th season)

League - Colonial

Key losses - Zak Pompa, Ethan McClure, Andrew Coolbaugh, James O’Neil, Ehren Hassler; Aubrey Bonner, Lindsay Patton, Aubrey Wirth.

Key returnees - Bowden Chicarelli (Sr.), Evan Rosenbrook (Sr.), Gabe Wirth (Jr.), James Chiccinelli (Jr.), Myles Nieves (Jr.), Jonas Lambert (So.); Stacy Bos (So.), Sophie Durange (So.).

Season outlook - This fall marks Jim Thorpe’s maiden voyage into the Colonial League. The Olympians have six boys who have won varsity letters in the sport, which should help the team improve on its 6-12 season last fall. The girls team, which has just two runners in Stacy Bos and Sophie Durange, will look to replace the leadership of state qualifier Aubrey Bonner.

Quotable - “With a few runners lost to graduation, we are a small team this year with only six boys on the roster. Our frontrunner looks to be Chicarelli, as he has been putting in the miles over the summer. Rosenbrook, Wirth, Lambert and Chicarelli are strong runners and can be key contributors in helping us score some team points. I think with our experienced runners, we can be somewhat competitive in our new league as long as everyone stays healthy as we are low in numbers. Our girls will compete with only two runners, but they challenge each other every time they run. Stacy Bos is a talented and strong runner and did well last season as a freshman. So, we are definitely excited to see how competitive she can be in our new league. She finished ninth at leagues and 14th at districts last season. We are also looking forward to see how Sophie will progress this season in the Colonial League.” - Coach Rosahac.

LEHIGHTON

Head coach - Erica Pagotto

League - Colonial

Key losses - Jacob Hall, Caden Kresge, Jude Litts, Owen Serfass, Bradley Yenser; Elizabeth Troutman.

Key returnees - Kyle Kuznicki, Varick Peiffer, Elijah Pagotto, Aiden Eckhart, Bayto Cokrlija, Coe Strausberger, Bekim Cokrlija, Liam Burns; Julia Smith, Bella Moyer

Top newcomers - Claudia Pagotto, Anna Hawk

Season outlook - Look for the Tribe boys to make an impact in the first year of the Colonial League with a strong core of runners back in the fold. The team has a standout — Elijah Pagotto, son of the coach, who competed at the state championships last November. The ladies will be looking to take it to the next level and improve on their results from last fall.

Quotable - “We had two boys compete at the PIAA State Championship last year (Elijah Pagotto and Owen Serfass). This year, Elijah is back and two other teammates have the goal of making states, seniors Varick Peiffer and Kyle Kuznicki. Both are extremely motivated, as well as Coe Strausberger. We’re in a new league this year. We’ll miss the coaches and athletes from the Schuylkill League, but are glad we’ll still get to compete with the athletes from Jim Thorpe. This year we will be running on all new courses so it will be a new adventure. We’re looking forward to forming new relationships with the Colonial League coaches and athletes. As for the girls, one of our top track and field athletes, Brielle Frable, is running cross country this season. In the past she competed solely in field hockey, but this year she is competing in both field hockey and cross country, which we are thrilled about. She plans to run cross country in college; she’s on fire and we’re excited to see what she’s capable of. Julia Smith is a key returnee, and we’re excited to see how much time she can drop as a senior. We also have strong freshmen this season, especially Claudia Pagotto and Anna Hawk. They have been breaking records as middle school athletes, so we are so excited to see what their high school career brings them.” - Coach Pagotto.

MARIAN

Head coach - Kristin Fritz (1st season)

League – Schuylkill (Division 2)

Key losses - Alex Porambo, Albin Petschauer; Emma Ashfield.

Key returnees - James Gelatko, Wade Eroh, Chase Grier, Achilles Fitzpatrick; Ava Fritz, Olivia Serfass, Maddie Biros, Leah Grabosky, Alyssa Porambo.

Top newcomers - Gavin Zola, Jacob Berlanda; Anna Keer, Teaghan Biros, Addison Fritz.

Season outlook - This group is very strong, both the Colts and Fillies. The Colts went 12-2 a season ago, while the Fillies were one better at 13-1. Only two Colts graduated and just one off the girls squad. Marian will be featured in three invitationals: Lions Invitational at Moravian, Centaur Invitational at DeSales University, along with Paul Short at Lehigh University,

Quotable - “We have a very young (boys) team with only one senior, Devan Lin. The remaining six runners are sophomores. With Alex and Albin graduating, we are looking to our young group of runners to really step up. If we stay healthy, the boys have an opportunity to shake things up at leagues and districts again. As for our Fillies, losing just one starter, and a good one and a leader in Ashfield, but we’ve added three newcomers. This is one of our biggest girls’ teams in recent memory, and they have a lot of high energy. Injuries affected us some last year, and the main goal this year is to stay healthy and show up at leagues and districts ready to go. We also have three middle school athletes competing from St. Jerome’s — Gianna Osenbach, Peyton O’Brien, and Bella Sanfilippo.” - Coach Fritz.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Head coach - Mike Lehtonen

League - Colonial

Key losses - Delaney Szwast

Key returnees - Edward Benedict (So.); Emma Heil (Jr.), Emily Gad (So.), Dekota Barthold (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Reece Johnson (Sr.), Andrew Mohrey (Fr.); Mya Desousa (Fr.), Sophia Fiorito (Fr.), Rylie Scholl (Fr.), Audriana Wertman (Fr.)

Season outlook - The Northern Lehigh boys cross country team is young and will look to improve on what the squad has. Sophomore Edward Benedict returns for the Bulldogs. The young team will hope to improve its times and compete in a tough Colonial League. Junior Emma Heil leads the way for the Lady Bulldogs, a team that also features multi-sport athletes in sophomore Emily Gad and senior Dekota Barthold. Head coach Mike Lehtonen wants to increase the numbers for both the boys and the girls, but has some good runners in place for the start of the season. The Colonial League is expected to be competitive once again, and the young Northern Lehigh team will work hard to improve throughout the year.

Quotable - “Hopefully, we gain some experience, quickly. With some of the younger runners at the varsity level, we were just improving week-to-week, meet-to-meet with times and placing and overall distance running strength. We had some ups-and-downs and were a little bit of a younger team with the girls. We’re still trying to increase numbers, but still looking forward to this year and hope to stay healthy.” - Coach Lehtonen.

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach - Chris Stitzel

League - Colonial

Key losses - Sean Kershner; Haley DuBois

Key returnees - Bryce Thrash (Sr.), Luke Thrash (Sr.), Greyson Wellings (Sr.), Xander Giandomenico (Sr.), Jonathan Fornauf (Jr.), Brady Furman (So.); Sophia Cornell (Sr.), Megan Fornwalt (Sr.), Kellcey Pedron (Sr.)

Top newcomers - Noah Griffith (So.), Isaac Grubb (Fr.); Rosie Nester (Fr.)

Season outlook - All eyes will be on the Northwestern running duo of seniors Greyson Wellings and Xander GIandomenico, along with Bryce and Luke Thrash. The Tigers were competitive in the Colonial League, and getting a team title is one of the season’s goals. The boys went 19-5 last year, and are looking to add a district title this fall. The Lady Tigers came close to a district title, finishing fourth in the team standings. Northwestern had two runners make it individually, senior Sophia Cornell — the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year — and now-graduated Haley DuBois. Like the boys, the Northwestern girls also went 19-5. Northwestern will look to take home individual and team titles this fall as it continues to build on its success.

Quotable - “If we don’t make it (to states) as a team, we just want to be competitive in the league and hold our own. I think that if we don’t make it as a team with the boys, I hope Greyson and Xander can make it. They’re seniors this year, and my top two guys. We’re hoping to have a good postseason with these kids and we’ll go from there. The girls just missed out at districts. We still finished fourth, and we finished four points out of the second spot as a team. I have a lot of seniors this year. We’re not deep, but what I have, we should be good.” - Coach Stitzel.

PALMERTON

Head coach - Mike Horvath

League - Colonial

Key losses - Alex Saas; Cora Wentz

Key returnees - Sean Jahelka (Sr.), Connor Hibell (Jr.), Shane Bollinger (Jr.), Ezra Green (Jr.), Gavin Wininger (Jr.); Kamarrah Saslo (Jr.), Payten Fornaro (Jr.)

Top newcomers - Marshall Saslo (Fr.); Bella Lombardi (So.), Cassidy Merkel (Jr.)

Season outlook - Palmerton is two years removed from the 2022 District 11 championship team, and senior Sean Jahelka is the last remaining runner from that successful season. Jahelka hopes to provide leadership to the team and end his running career on a high note. Junior Connor Hibell qualified for states last season, and was the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year after winning league and district titles. Three more juniors join Hibell on the team in Shane Bollinger, Gavin Wininger and Ezra Green. Also keep an eye on freshman Marshall Saslo, coming up from the middle school ranks. The Lady Bombers look to improve on last season despite losing the recently-graduated Cora Wentz. Juniors Kamarrah Saslo and Payten Fornaro will lead the way for Palmerton, and be joined by some up-and-coming runners in junior Cassidy Merkel and sophomore Bella Lombardi. Junior Emma Rex is fighting off an injury and will serve as manager and team captain. The team is small, but has a very good group of student-athletes to perform on the course.

Quotable - “We have a small, but mighty group of kids. How far will a few individuals push themselves to possibly accomplish success? Kamarrah and Payten were newcomers last season, but now these two juniors find themselves in veteran positions on the team. The team is grateful to have track athletes Cassidy Merkel and Bella Lombardi, and excited to see what they can bring to help the team.” - Coach Horvath.

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach - Alison Rundle (1st season)

League - Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

Key losses - Robert Leuthradt, Ben Keppel; Lily Dannels

Key returnees - Jake Smith (Sr.), Jason Kays (Sr.), Marty Green (Sr.); Keeley Lawrence (Jr.), Anna Salvucci (So).

Top newcomers - Ben Salvucci (Jr.); Sara Brubaker (Fr.), Danielle Boland (Sr.)

Season outlook - Pleasant Valley will look to improve on last year’s performance, both as individuals and a team. Head coach Alison Rundle will take over after serving as Amy Keller’s assistant the last two years. The Bears lost Ben Keppel to graduation, but have three seniors coming back to the team. Jake Smith, Jason Kays and Marty Green will look to lead the team and help the underclassmen. The girls team had a tough time with turnout last season. This year, the girls outnumber the boys, and Rundle hopes her girls will have a successful season. Keeley Lawrence returns for the squad and will be a team leader. PV lost Lily Dannels to graduation, and will hope to build on the foundation of what is Rundle’s first year as head coach.

Quotable - “I’m just expecting the kids to set some goals for themselves, and to meet those goals and improve through each race of the season. The boys did pretty well. I’m going to take out of it the needs of the runners and hopefully what I can do to help push them this year and next year to see what their needs are. The girls did not even place last year because we didn’t have enough girls to count in the races. This year, we have enough girls that when they do run, they will score.” - Coach Rundle.

TAMAQUA

Head coach - Megan Frantz (1st season)

League – Schuylkill (Division 1)

Key losses - Jesse Gormley, Stephen Kieffer, Jathan Krall; Alexis Buchala, Alexis Jones.

Key returnees - Will Behun, Brody Boyce, Levi Kunkel, Logan Leatherman, Anthony Marchetti, Logan Morgans, Adam Schock, Yossaf Garcia; Lyla Clemson, Adrianna Geronimo, Cali Frantz, Ava Jones, Isabella Jones, Madelyn Schaefer, Lila Stegemerten, Samantha Plasha, Bailey Pliska, Lila Stegemerten, Mollie Walker.

Top newcomers - Billy Coombe, Aidan Elston, Kolton Krause, Luis Sanchez, Parker Steencken, Terran Wakefield; Gia Clemson, Caylee Jones, Chloe Jones, Keily Kunkel, Mikayah Steigerwalt.

Season outlook - The Tamaqua girls were tops in the Schuylkill League last fall, winning the league meet title while also winning the Division 1 title during an 18-0 season. It carried over to the District 11 meet where the team finished second overall to advance to states. Tamaqua’s boys also captured the Division 1 title after a 17-1 season. A runner-up finish at districts enabled the boys team to advance to states.

Quotable - “We are ready to work hard and show everyone that we have what it takes to qualify for states again this year. New members for the girls include Gia Clemson, Caylee and Chloe Jones, Keily Kunkel and Mikayah Steigerwalt. New boy members include Billy Coombe, Aidan Elston, Kolton Krause, Luis Sanchez, Parker Steencken and Terran Wakefield. Physically and mentally, we are preparing to make this a remarkable season.” - Coach Frantz.

WEATHERLY

Head coach - Ryan Kately

League - Schuylkill (Division 2)

Key losses - Carlos Otero; Kendall Gerhart.

Key returnees - Sebastian Williams (Sr.), Raymond Montz (Jr.), Hayden DiGennaro (Jr.); Rebecca Caldwell (So.)

Top newcomers - John Smith (Sr.), Jim Brown (Jr.), Frank Jones (So.), Alex Best (Fr.)

Season outlook - As always, depth is a concern for both the boys and girls. The boys have three experienced runners, and a newcomer to the varsity team, but need to find a fifth runner for key points. Although Weatherly lost Kendall Gerhart from the girls side, sophomore Rebecca Caldwell has promise.

Quotable - “We have a lot of promise for the future. Sebastian Williams will be our lead runner, as he has had a fantastic offseason after missing the state meet by one place last year. Raymond Montz is also a veteran and looks to improve on a solid sophomore season. Freshman Alex Best now comes to the varsity level where he finished third in the junior high league meet, and we expect big things from him. Senior Hayden DiGennaro will also provide leadership. The girls’ numbers are down as we have one varsity girl in Rebecca Caldwell, who has been running and training all summer and has been looking great in road races as she is an avid triathlete and plays hockey as well. She is a Swiss Army Knife, and she is very coachable. She is looking to have a great season. The middle school numbers are big again for us, on the junior high level with promise for the future.” - Coach Kately.

Capsules by Sam Matta and Kyle Magda