When she was a sophomore, Pennridge senior cross country runner Nora Ritting cherished the advice and support from then senior Megan Lysek-Hagy in helping her develop as a runner.
The two have kept in contact, as Lysek-Hagy has continued her career at Elizabethtown College.
“She took me under her wing,” recalled Ritting. “I really learned a lot from her about running. She was always there for me.
“We have kept in touch, and we always text each other about our races. Having a mentor was essential to my success.”
A year later, Ritting returned the favor. She noticed freshman Ashley Landis’ work ethic, and realized she could play a role in her budding career.
“Ashley really worked hard as a freshman,” noted Ritting. “She was very determined, and you could see that she had talent. We hit it off from the start, and we would run and train together.
“Since then, we have really been able to support each other.”
This season, both Landis, now a sophomore, and Ritting, now a senior, have been among the top finishers in their races.
In the Suburban One League Patriot Division meet, Landis paced the field in 18:46, and Ritting followed right behind here in 19:02. At the District One meet, Landis was 11th overall in 18:31.1, and Ritting was 22nd in 18:54.
Both girls will be advancing to the state meet Saturday in Hershey. They both competed in last year’s meet with Landis finishing 45th (20:02) and Ritting finishing 141st (21:18).
Head coach Bill Smith knows he has a special duo.
“Nora and Ashley have been running together all year, and there have been a few times when they have come in one and two in races,” said Smith.
“Ashley has been peaking at the right time. She really began to mature as a runner at the end of last season. She stepped it up and made it to the state meet last year. She had been running from the front since the start of the year. Ashley was one of our legs in the 4x800 last spring on a team that finished second in the state. She’s a competitor.
“Nora had some health issues last year, but she also is peaking at the right time. She is a very good leader, and you can see how she has developed a good relationship with Ashley. Nora has been a big influence for the younger girls, and she has really put together a strong season.”
Landis participated in track during middle school, and decided to try out for cross country.
“It was about halfway through last season, and I started to have success with it,” noted Landis. “I knew that this would be my sport. Once I got to states last year, I knew I could have a better season this year.
“I have been setting PRs (personal record) the past few weeks, and cut down on my times with leagues and states. Nora has been a big influence over me, and she helped me with so many things like my breathing among other things. I owe my success to her. She is always there for me.”
Ritting, who battled shin splints that sidelined her for part of last season, also is grateful for Landis’ support.
“We work really well together,” stressed Landis, who plans to run in college next year when she finalizes her plans. “We have pulled each other through races. She has been a big influence for me as well.
“I started to break out in the middle of the season, and I have had a couple of PRs since then. I feel like I am running pretty consistently, and Ashley has played a big role in that.”
Even though there is one race left on the docket for the duo, their bond should be a lasting one.
“We’ll be there for each other,” said Ritting. “Ashley will have a great finish to her high school career, and we’ll keep track of each other’s races next year. We have a solid bond of trust in each other.”
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