With a first-place finish behind her at the SOL Continental Conference Championships, Julia Flood knew she could continue her pace.
“One of my best finishes was at leagues,” said Flood, a Central Bucks west sophomore. “That was my first big race that I had won. I was also pleased with my seventh place finish at (PIAA Foundation Invitational) Fountains.”
Flood placed seventh in 18:24 among a field of 372 girls in the Class 3A bracket of the PIAA District One Cross Country Championships at Lehigh University Oct. 26.
She began running in fourth grade through a CYO program and fell in love with the sport. Her latest accomplishment certainly was a milestone.
“Districts was great,” said Flood. “I was able to achieve a personal best and the competition was so much more competitive. It really pushed me.
“This season has really showcased our potential as a team. We have become stronger runner individually than we were last year.”
The Bucks’ girls unit took her cue as it captured its second consecutive Class 3A team title with 104 points in the field of 60 teams. Teammates sophomores Piper Wilson finished 11th in a time of 18:41 and Emmi Simon was 21st in a time of 18:58 to have three finishers in the top 25.
“Julia ran a new personal best en route to her seventh place overall finish,” said CB West head girls coach Kiki Bell. “As only a sophomore, her performance and time is extremely impressive, especially on the heels of racing herself to being league champion the week before.”
Bell likes her team chemistry this season to permeate at the state meet in Hershey this weekend.
“The team dynamic this year is everything,” she said. “Last year I know I called them a groovy group … if it’s possible they’re even groovier. They love running, they love racing, they love each other and they respect their competition and they respect their talents and abilities.
“They are fun to be around and are coachable. Their undefeated regular season, their second straight league championship win and their second straight district championship win are so very impressive. I am excited to see what they bring to Hershey this weekend.”
The Bucks’ boys’ team finished 18th overall with senior Nick Gillespie claiming the top spot and qualifying for the state meet. Junior Luke Cimakasky just missed the mark by 0.8 seconds.
“All seven varsity guys ran their fastest times this season which is exactly where you want to be at the end of the season and racing at your best,” said Bucks’ distance coach John Mahoney. “Nick Gillespie especially has had a tremendous season, running almost a minute faster than last year to individually qualify for the state championship.”
For the first time in school history, Central Bucks East will be sending their boys and girls teams to the state meet. Both teams finished fifth among 60 teams in the Class 3A bracket.
Junior Mckenna Brophy took 12th overall in a time of 18:45 and senior David Endres was the top boys finisher with his 14th spot in a time of 15.55.
“McKenna has been our top runner all season and had a 30-second improvement,” said CB East head coach Sam Losorelli. “David was able to break the 16-minute barrier. We’re happy to have both teams going to states.”
Other top local performers were junior Ethan Saville, Pennridge, 23rd, 15:59; and Christian Kruse, New Hope-Solebury (2A), 12th, 17:55. The Central Bucks South boys also cracked the top 25, finishing in 22nd place as a team.
The District 11 championships were held Oct. 24 in Bethlehem. The Class 2A Palisades boys finished eighth and the girls seventh. Junior Amy Farese was among the top 20 on the girls side, finishing in 17th place with a time of 20:35.68.
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