Norwin cross country team building for WPIALs

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 25, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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The Norwin girls cross country team (3-1) looks ahead to moving up a notch.

The Knights hope to crack the top 5 in the WPIAL Class AAA championship meet Oct. 26 after placing sixth the past two seasons.

“It will definitely take a lot of work,” coach Brian Fleckenstein said. “It will take luck, as well.”

The Knights are 12 or so deep, with junior Courtney Kosanovic leading the way.

Kosanovic, who came in 19th at the 2016 WPIAL championship, has been the Knights' top performer in two invitational meets.

Junior Caitlin Kosanovic, Courtney's sister, and senior Laurel Noe and sophomores Rachel Soltez and Allie Plassio return from the WPIAL championship.

Senior Jessica Gibson, sophomore Madison Pesi, junior Julia Fasiczka and senior Tabby Reed contribute.

“We have a strong pack,” Courtney Kosanovic said. “(I would) like to see that pack go up.”

Her sister said the team needs to be in the top five.

The Knights placed second of 11 teams in the Gateway Invitational on Sept. 2. They were 10th of 30 squads in the Class AAA race at the Red, White and Blue Classic on Sept. 9 in Pittsburgh's Schenley Park.

In Section 1, they went undefeated in three consecutive duals before losing to Class AA Greensburg Salem on Sept. 19.

The Knights boys team (3-1) has some new faces after placing 12th at the WPIAL championship last season.

Senior Carson Shipley, sophomore Jacob Tarosky and freshman Alex Jubert are running neck and neck to replace senior Matt O'Neill, who is out with a stress fracture. O'Neill finished 11th at WPIALs.

“We have a green team,” said Fleckenstein, who also coaches the boys.

Shipley said without O'Neill, everyone has to step up.

Sophomores Dominic Spatolisano, Nick Shavel, Dominic Demaro and Harrison Barnett are among other competitors.

The Knights took first place at the Gateway Invitational and eighth at the Red, White and Blue Classic.

Their only dual meet loss was to Greensburg Salem by one point.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.