Quaker Valley’s Wicker shines in early-season Red, White and Blue Invitational

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 3:27 PM

The season just began, and junior Annie Wicker already is in top form on the Quaker Valley girls cross county team.

Wicker, the defending WPIAL champion, came in first in the Class AA girls 5,000-meter final at the Red, White and Blue Classic on Sept. 8 at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Wicker overcame rain to finish in 18 minutes, 58.16 seconds, ahead of the runner-up’s 19:31.27.

She was one of 100 competitors.

“I am really happy with the win,” Wicker said. “It tells me that my training is paying off, and I am on the right track for the rest of the season.

“With the bad conditions and new course, I’m happy with the time, as well.”

Quaker first-year coach Emily Kadhim was impressed Wicker was surpassed only by the Class AAA winner (17:56.39).

In the Class AA boys final, junior Daniel Ford placed fourth (16:41.81).

“Although I did not beat my (personal record) on this course, I still felt as if I ran a good race,” Ford said. “My goals for the rest of the year are to get better individually and possibly medal at the state meet.”

Freshman Anna Cohen had a solid debut, placing ninth in the girls final (20:41.25).

“She has been doing extremely well at practices, and she really pushes herself, “Kadhim said.

Cohen said she ran against many of the other competitors in the past.

“I had an idea where I’d be,” she said.

Cohen hopes to go under 20 minutes and qualify for states.

The Quaker girls finished seventh of 11 teams and the boys eighth.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.