Cross Country: Penn competes in New Haven Semi-state

The Penn boys and girls cross country teams have punched their ticket to the New Haven Semi-state this Saturday, Oct. 24.

The top 10 individuals from non-advancing teams and the first six qualifying teams from each semi-state shall advance to the state finals, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Terre Haute.

Click here for The Pack Running Podcast Semi-state preview.

The 2020 New Haven Semi-state will be held on Huntington University’s Cross Country Course. The girls will race at 10 a.m. (ET) and their awards ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m.  Once their awards ceremony is completed, spectators of the girls race must clear the course before allowing the boys’ teams and fans on the course.  The boys will race at 11:45 a.m. (ET) and their awards ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m.  Spectators need to social distance and wear masks.

The cost for spectators is $8 and must be paid in cash. Ticket tables will be set up to purchase tickets.  The ticket tables will open at 8:30 a.m.  for the girls’ race, but spectators for the girls’ race will not be allowed on the course until 9:30 a.m.  The ticket tables will open at 10:15 a.m. for the boys’ race, but spectators for the boys’ race will not be allowed on the course until we have cleared the course from the girls’ awards ceremony.

Both Penn head coaches, are positive in their teams outlook this Saturday.

“We have a great opportunity to advance to the state finals this year,” Penn Boys Cross Country Head Coach Tom Miller said. “We have great momentum coming into the race with having two great team races in the previous two weeks. Now we just need to put ourselves in a competitive position early in the race and attack the course over the last 2000 meters.”

Similarly Penn Girls Cross Country Head Coach Michael Clements is optimistic.

“I’m excited about our prospects this weekend,” Clements said. “Last year it really hurt to be five points short of advancing to State, but I feel like it was a blessing in disguise.  The commitment and level of work that we’ve had in the past 12 months, even through the cancelled track season and COVID-19 shut downs, has put us in a great position to advance.  We know no one is going to give us anything on Saturday, but if we race the way we have so far this year, we should have another opportunity to race for a final time this season on Halloween!”

REGIONAL RESULTS

Boys: 1. Mariano Retzloff 15:45, 7. Dillon Pottschmidt 16:26, 13. Carter Kaser 16:43, 15. Ben Boardley 16:55, 25. Jason Juarez 17:13, 29. Nick Probst 17:23, 42. Caleb Evans 17:36.

Girls: 2. Nicole Marshall 19:23, 3. Julie Smith 19:25, 7. Morgan Gannon 19:51, 10. Mary Eubank 20:09, 12. Haley Makowski 20:16, 13. Ellie Stabnik 20:18, 17. Nicole Jerzak 20:41.