Pennridge’s Thomas McGann began his cross country season with a personal record of 16:21:90 at the Northampton Invitational.
Unfortunately, then illness got in the way.
“I started off strong,” recalled the Ram’s senior harrier. “But then I hit a rough patch because I got sick for a couple of weeks. For about a week now, I have been feeling better. So the end of the season is looking a little bit more promising.”
McGann is one of several runners who have been excelling for head coach Terry Permar’s club this fall. He and fellow senior Grayson Kerzman have been the catalysts for their season in which the Rams recently finished fourth out of 25 teams at the William Tennent Invitational and also assure themselves of a winning season. At the Tennent meet, Central Bucks South junior Riley Rooney was third in the girls meet in 18:28.80.
“Thomas, who ran well last year, continues to drop his times,” said Permar. “Grayson made a huge improvement from last year, and he has helped form a top three core for us.”
Permar also credited juniors Logan Siegfried, Luke Barbadoro, and Andrew Davis, who also all lowered their times and have helped the Rams develop a unit of seven runners.
The veteran head coach also noted the contributions from freshman Jackson Warfel and sophomore Daniel Lera-Lozano. Warfel has emerged as the team’s No. 1 runner. Lera-Lozano’s older brother, Diego, was a two-time state medalist runner.
“Jackson never ran before his eighth grade spring track season,” added Permar. “He was a natural. I talked to him at the (track) meets, and he had no idea about what cross country was. He’s running 5K in the 16:30 range, and has been our top guy.
“Daniel was a dedicated and talented soccer player, but he also was born to be a runner. I didn’t see him running, but that all changed this summer. He’s running No. 4 on the team and closing in on No. 3.”
McGann, who ran his first 5K in third grade, credited his father Michael – who has been running since high school – as his biggest influence. He sees a possible strong finish ahead. McGann ran a 16:39:90 at Northampton last year and had a 16:41:70 at districts last season.
“I feel that I can do a lot more,” added McGann. “I’m looking forward to leagues and districts ahead.”
Permar also is confident about a productive finish.
“We have a super chemistry and attitude here,” stressed Permar. “It’s another wonderful year of crazy stuff happening throughout the year that will make memories for these boys for years to come.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more out of this group.”
On the girls side, head coach Bill Smith noted that his team also battled through bouts of sickness.
However, the Rams recently won the Souderton Invitational and recorded second-place finishes at both the Northampton Invitational and the PTXC 14 by Kutztown University. Their lone blemish has been a loss to Central Bucks West.
“We have been running well,” said Smith. “We have had some good team performances, and we have had girls among the top finishes.”
Junior Ashley Landis again has been leading the pack after a stellar season last year. Senior transfer Veronica Gula has been on her heels as the team’s No. 2 runner throughout most of the season.
Junior Taylor Burkett, who has been hurt the past two years, has found her mark and is running well. Fellow junior Kaegan Smith has been a regular contributor.
Smith also has looked to seniors Maria Lera-Lozano and Natalie Pappas along with freshman Jessica Lackner to help round out the field.
In addition to a steady stream of success from his varsity unit, Smith has been impressed with his JV team.
At the Souderton meet, the Rams had the top three finishers across the line with freshman Arieana Parks and Summer Kayser along with sophomore Grace Santos.
Smith believes his team is on a good pace to hit their stride at the right time.
“Over the past two years, I strategically tried to take it a lot slower,” offered Smith. “We have had a lot of injuries. We’re getting there and we have a ways to go. We’re a small team.
“We want to peak at leagues, districts and states. We believe we can make it to states as a team, but we know we’ll have to beat CB West first.”
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