Recently, the Buffalo cross country team traveled to the Run for the Chocolate in Hershey on Aug. 26 and the Big Valley Invitational at Mifflin County on Aug. 30.
The Run for the Chocolate season opener includes many different types of terrain for a good challenge. The course has trails, asphalt, grass hills, sharp turns, and an uphill finish.
For the boys team, junior Henry Barlup led the team with a time of 19:58 followed by senior Bradyn Diaz (20:40), senior Riley Babski (23:42), sophomore Alfonso Tubioli (25:55), sophomore Logan Smith (26:16), and sophomore Kellen Shepley (28:15). They placed 12th of 13 teams with 353 points; behind Susquenita (272) yet ahead of Middletown Area (409).
The girls’ team, with no team ranking, did well in their efforts, too. Sophomore Gabby Benner led the girls with a time of 27:38. “I feel like the run put me at a good starting point for the season. This year, I feel stronger and more motivated…” Benner expressed. Rookie senior Jenna Nail clocked her first time in at 30:16, and senior Jordin Briggs followed suit with a time of 34:17.
A three-mile competition can seem daunting at first, but with practice and persistence, it can become easy. “I was pretty nervous leading up to the race, but once I was in the run, it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. The course is definitely a challenge… the whole team did really good,” Nail commented.
Newport visited the Lebanon Valley College high school invite on Sept. 6 and hosted a Tri-Valley League meet at Little Buffalo State Park today, Sept. 9. Race information will be included in the next update.
