Mt. Lebanon’s Anderson relishes opportunity to compete at national race

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 | 4:06 PM

The prospect of taking on top runners from around the country got to Mt. Lebanon junior Patrick Anderson at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Boys National Finals Dec. 8 in San Diego.

Anderson placed 29th of 40 in 16 minutes, 16.4 seconds in the 5k run in Balboa Park.

“(I had) pre-race nerves,” he said. “(I was) hoping for a better finish.”

In its 40th year, the meet brought together the top 10 performers from each of four regional qualifiers.

Anderson, the PIAA Class AAA champion and WPIAL runner-up, came in sixth in the Northeast regional Nov. 24 at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. (15:38.6).

Cole Hocker of Indianapolis, the Midwest winner, was crowned national champion (15:13.7).

The Midwest also earned the team title, with the Northeast coming in last. The South and West finished second and third, respectively.

Anderson said it was a great experience and a lot of fun.

He looks forward to returning.

Mt. Lebanon coach Mike Agostinella said Anderson has come a long way from last season, when he finished 22nd in the PIAA.

“This is a great year,” Agostinella said. “He’s making really great progress.

“(I) anticipate a bright future for him.”

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Mt. lebanon