Pine-Richland girls cross country looks to return to states … and bring the boys team along this time

By: Jerin Steele
Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Every year, the Pine-Richland cross country teams ramp up to be in peak condition for the WPIAL championships.

It’s a formula that’s worked well lately as the Rams girls team has been one of the best in the district, making trips to the state meet each of the last three years.

This year, the hope is for the girls to qualify again and have the boys team join them.

“We think that both the boys and girls teams can make it there this year,” Pine-Richland coach Mark Hunkele said. “The girls have been runner-up, runner-up and third at WPIALs the last three years. Our boys team is a really good young team that’s making a lot of progress. We’re going to give it our best shot. I feel if they’re all running well and healthy they have a really good chance.”

The Rams boys and girls run in Class 3A, the highest classification.

Natalie McLean graduated and is now at Georgetown after becoming Pine-Richland’s first individual state champion in cross country last year, but a strong core of girls return.

The girls have had some injuries this season, but when healthy should be a formidable group.

Senior Angelina Hunkele, junior Maren Iski and sophomores Teagan Yurocko and Ella Yanni all have state championship experience.

“Maren, Teagan and Ella were critical for us getting to states last year when Angelina and one of our other runners weren’t able to run WPIALs due to injury,” Coach Hunkele said.

Freshman Ella Davis has had a good first varsity season. Junior Nicolina Phillips and freshman Alona Grytsuik are running cross country for the first time and have consistently improved their times.

On the boys side, sophomore Lucas Thompson and senior Kevin McLoughlin have been consistently near the top of results page in both dual meets and invitationals.

Juniors Ben McLean, Sam Elston, Liam Jamison, Thomas DeVito and Lucas Anderson, freshmen Charles Kapanowski and Brady Hunkele, sophomores Simon Wynn and Gavin Gilardi and senior Jonah Wynn are all having strong seasons.

Coach Hunkele said it’s the deepest boys team he’s had and has the potential to vie for a PIAA berth.

“There are probably five or more teams that will challenge for that final spot in states,” Coach Hunkele said. “The guys have a good attitude and believe in each other and the team. They’re excited to have a great finish to the season, whatever place that brings us. I definitely believe it will be a great improvement on last year. They’re young too, so next year could even be better.”

This year’s WPIAL championship will be held at a different venue than last year. White Oak Park will be the host after the meet was held at Cal (Pa.) in 2022.

White Oak Park is not an unfamiliar spot for the runners, however. It hosted the 2020 championship during the pandemic season and has hosted the Red, White and Blue Classic since 2020.

It’ll also host the Tri-State Coaches Invitational the week before the WPIAL meet, which is scheduled for Oct. 26.

“Since 2020, every team has run at White Oak multiple times,” Coach Hunkele said. “It’s a nice course and definitely a faster course than Cal.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Pine-Richland