State College Boys’ Cross Country Looks to Defend Conference, District Titles in 2019

The State College boys’ varsity cross country team is looking to defend its Mid Penn and District 6 titles in 2019.

Head coach Dave Felice said with an experienced core of runners from a highly successful 2018 campaign, the possibility is more than good.

Last year’s team took first place in the Big Valley Invitational, the Harry Groves PSU Spike Shoe Meet, the Mid Penn Conference Championships and the PIAA District 6 Championship; fourth in the PIAA Foundation Meet; and seventh in the PIAA State Championships. Gone from that team are Owen Isham and Joe Messner.

Seven letter winners return in Ben St. Pierre, David Gluckman, Brady Bigger, Henry Ballard, Sean Adams, Bennett Norton and Bryant Stangel.

“We want to keep injuries to a minimum and have a great season,” said Felice.

The Little Lions opened the season with a team title at the Big Valley Invitational on Aug. 31 in Mifflin County. St. Pierre took second place, behind Penns Valley’s Colton Sands. Norton came in seventh, with Bigger ninth and Adams 10th. On Sept. 3, State College won its first home tri-meet of the season over Mifflin County and Cumberland Valley.

State College is next in action on Tuesday against Chambersburg and Central Dauphin in Harrisburg.