Wicker, Quaker Valley runners turn attention to WPIAL championship meet

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 19, 2018 | 7:33 PM

Quaker Valley junior Annie Wicker looks forward to repeating as WPIAL Class AA girls cross country champion Oct. 25 at Cal (Pa.), but needs better form than she showed recently.

Wicker (20 minutes, 50 seconds) placed third in the varsity girls 5,000-meter run final in the Midwestern Athletic Championship Oct. 11 at Brush Creek Park in Beaver County. It was her first loss in three major meets this season.

“I was pretty disappointed with MACs and didn’t feel good mentally or physically,” she said. “I’m planning to focus on WPIALs, where hopefully I’ll feel stronger and more prepared after winning last year.

“I just want to feel good and be happy with my race.”

Quaker Valley first-year coach Emily Kadhim was impressed by Wicker’s finish, considering it was an off day.

Wicker came in first in the Class AA girls final in the Red, White and Blue Classic at Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park (18:58.16) and in the girls final in the Sharpsville Blue Devil Invitational in Sharon (19:07.14), both in September.

Freshman Anna Cohen placed seventh in the Midwestern Athletic Conference championship (21:48) after coming in ninth in the Red, White and Blue Invitational (20:41.25) and 14th in the Sharpsville Blue Devil Invitational (20:30.72).

“Anna is continuing to show she is a competitor,” Kadhim said.

Cohen said her goal is to make the PIAA championship meet Nov. 3 in Hershey. The top three teams and the top 15 individuals will advance.

For the boys, junior Daniel Ford is seeking to become the first Quaker to earn a WPIAL title since Zach Skolnekovich won his third straight in 2016. Skolnekovich is a sophomore on the William & Mary men’s team.

Ford placed fourth in the Midwestern Athletic Conference championship (17:54) and he won the Tri-State championship (17:03.83).

“Daniel looked strong,” Kadhim said.

Ford also was fourth in the Red, White and Blue Classic (16:41.81). He was eighth in the Sharpsville Blue Devil Invitational (16:48.31).

Ford said he wants to do well at WPIALs and medal at states.

Because it is a new course, Kadhim does not know what to expect at WPIALs. The meet moved from Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock.

“We need to focus on our strengths,” she said. “Our main goal is to get a few individuals to qualify for the PIAA championships.”

The girls, who placed third last season, were WPIAL champions from 2014-16. The boys were runner-up in 2016.

Both went 4-4 in dual meets this season.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley