Norwin uses pack mentality to take place among WPIAL cross country contenders

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Based on returning athletes, Norwin is the top contender in Class 3A to regular frontrunner North Allegheny in WPIAL boys and girls cross country.

“We are hoping that when October rolls around, we are still in the conversation,” Knights coach Brian Fleckenstein said.

The veteran coach will lead the largest group of boys he’s had in the program — 35 runners, including 12 freshmen.

There are 20 girls on the other side.

The total of 55 runners shows the program’s growth from the 34 Fleckenstein had in 2012.

Norwin’s teams both won section (8-0) and WCCA titles the last two years, with the girls finishing fifth in the PIAA.

Seniors Enzo Jiancristoforo, Luke Simpson, Thomas Gaydos and Mario Breauchy all return.

Jiancristoforo was a state qualifier.

Sophomore Owen Rankin is coming off a strong track season and should help the Knights, while newcomers include senior Kaden Markovich, juniors Maerek Moenssens and Richie Zula, sophomore Atticus Knight and freshmen Ben McBride, Alex Barrett and Will Little.

“The boys will combine senior experience with some new runners this year to give the team a deeper squad than last year,” Fleckenstein said. “There be 10 to 12 guys competing pretty heavily for the varsity spots. The boys are coming off a strong track season and look to continue to compete with the best in the WPIAL. We could be a real strong team in October if we stay healthy and jell as a team and the pack stays strong and runs smart.”

The girls bring back seven of their top 10 from a team that finished third in the WPIAL, including junior Annie Czajkowski and sophomores Anna Dansak, Addie Farrah, Jillian Ryba and Emily Dansak.

Senior Anna Rakvic, junior Elin Bash, sophomores Kaelyn Lazar, Ciera Berthelsen and senior Emily Schaeffer will all compete for spots.

Claire Sherman and Molly Edwards also are in the mix.

Czajkowski ran the second-fastest time in Norwin cross country history of 18 minutes, 10 seconds at Blue Devil Invitational and qualified for the state meet.

Dansak ran the sixth-best time in the record books at 18:54.

“The strength of the team will be the pack again this year,” Fleckenstein said. “The Lady Knights had seven returning girls break 12:30 in the 3,200 during track season and look to continue to build off that pack again.

“Many of the younger runners have added more volume to their training and will be ready to roll this fall.”

Norwin’s motto remains, “The strength of the wolf is the pack.”

Since 2012, the boys are 77-12, the girls 79-10.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin