When they recently met, Central Bucks East and Quakertown both were reminded how their seasons are developing in different directions.
The Patriots’ boys and girls teams defeated the Panthers’ squads 15-50 respectively to remain undefeated, while the Panthers’ teams remained winless.
It is about a level of experience with both teams.
Along with its win over Quakertown, CB East also defeated North Penn, 25-30, as it proved to be a very productive afternoon. The latter victory raised both teams’ records to 4-0.
“We got the win over Quakertown, but the win over North Penn was big for us,” said CB East head coach Sam Losorelli. “Both the boys and girls teams ran very well against both of them. It is a big league win for us and gives us some momentum moving forward.”
Senior Jack McManus has been pacing a veteran boys unit. Fellow seniors Andrew Conte, Matt Curry and Shaun Pello all have been lowering their times. McManus won the boys meet in a time of 16.05.9, and Conte was fourth (16.53.7).
Seniors Gavin Pettigrew and Dylan Maund also have been major contributors. Maund is a former soccer player turned runner who has made a quick transition. Maund was fifth overall in a time of 16.58.7.
“They are a solid unit,” added Losorelli. “McManus ran just over 16 minutes and that’s fantastic this early in the season. Maund and Curry have broken the 17-minute mark.
On the girls side, senior Mckenna Brophy has been running the 20-minute mark, and senior teammates Katie Hagerich and Courtney Rowland have been making their mark.
Brophy finished second in the meet with a time of 20.15.1, Hagerich was eighth at 21.26.2 and Rowland was 10th at 21.49.2.
Freshmen Aleta Lyzinski and Jillian Thorning along with junior Kelsey Goldberg and sophomore Kelly Martin have filled out the lineup well.
Lyzinski was fourth at the meet in a time of 20.34.8; Goldberg, fifth at 21.16.5; Martin, eighth at 21.28.7; and Thorning, ninth at 21.46.1.
“They’re all making a big impact,” stated Losorelli. “Mckenna has taken the lead and we have been getting great times from all of the girls.”
Quakertown head coach Mike Mooney is dealing with growing pains this season. Both of his squads were winless, seeking to round out their lineups.
“We’re young,” he said. “We have a good group of sophomores and juniors who have been getting better as the season goes along.
“We can put ourselves in a good position late in the season as well as next year as their times are getting better.”
Sophomore John Juszynski had his personal record (PR) in the meet with a time of 18.01.8 and a 18th-place finish. Fellow sophomores David Pyfer and Chester Welliver also have been running steadily through the first month.
Freshman Rebekah Hickey has been pacing the girls unit. Hickey cracked the 20-minute mark with a time of 20.25.9 and a third-place finish at the meet.
“She hit her personal best,” said Mooney. “She has great potential and should be under 20 minutes in a few weeks. Rebekah is running very hard and well.”
Senior Ashlyn Hickey, Rebekah’s older sister, along with juniors Rylie Murphy and Holly Smith look to be regular contributors among the Panthers’ top five finishers.
Mooney anticipates his club will respond to the challenges ahead.
“We’re in a tough conference, and we’re the smallest of the larger schools,” added Mooney. “We’re learning and maturing. We won’t lose too many to graduation, and we’ll continue to compete.”
