Honesdale's "Dynamic Duo" Rocked the PIAA Cross Country Course

“It was an experience I won’t soon forget,” said freshman Summer Hill on running in the cross country state course for her first time ever.

The Class AAA PIAA State race took place on the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey, PA on Saturday November 7th. The course is approximately 3.1miles/5K.

Summer was one of two runners to represent Honesdale in Hershey at States, the other being junior captain Erin Craig.

All season Craig and Hill wreaked havoc for opposing cross country squads, leading the lady Hornets to a Lackawanna League title and district medals.

Summer and Erin finished a top of Honesdale’s runners every single race. The two girls switched on and off between top runner and second best all season.

With this in mind, and both returning to help Honesdale defend its league title next year, the girls shipped out to Hershey for one final race before their season would end.

First Impressions
With a name like Summer, what you see is exactly what you get: a bright, smiley girl with a lot of energy similar to that of a nice summer day.

The ever-perky freshman was a first timer at States this year, but from what she has shown this season it certainly won’t be her last.

When Hill was asked about the competition she simply said with a smile: “It rocked!”

As the first timer approached the big day she admits she was a little nervous, but it all seemed to drain out as she reached the starting line.

Being the competitive athlete that Summer is, she took this as a learning experience. As Summer prepares for next year, she will know what times she needs to hit to better herself.

Summer also learned a little more on how State’s actually work. There’s plenty to learn at an event like this, and you need to learn it quick with all the runners. Girls are constantly vying for the best position.

When Hill gets back to States next season, she feels she will be able to avoid the crowding of people and get a better idea where to make her jump and get into a better position.

Summer finished her first stay at States with a time of 20:33, placing 78th overall in a race that included 285 runners.

The Veterans
Erin Craig, Honesdale’s top gun, returned for her second State stint and was ready to pick up where she left off.

Since Erin’s first State race, things had changed. Craig’s first time as a freshman she was with her entire team, this time she only had one teammate. This may have been a little bit of a disadvantage, but a re-vamp of the course was not.

“I thought the course was easier except for a steep hill close to the finish, runners referred to it as the hill of death,” said Erin.

The hill did not frighten her, nor did the amount of runners. This experience may have helped Erin, where the rookie Summer had not been here before. While Summer had some first time jitters

Craig was more relaxed about the whole situation.

“It’s a rush running with all those girls, and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you finish knowing you ran against the best of the best,” said Erin.

Craig finished her final race of the year at 20:25, placing 65th overall. This is an improvement from her freshman season, when she placed 89th overall.

Our second veteran is none other than head coach Joe Macey.

Coach Macey has coached the cross country team to more league titles then any other coach currently at Honesdale High School. He was proud to see the girls continue their great ways at Hershey.

“They just work very hard during the summer to prepare for the season. They ran every race like it was for a championship. Because of their hard work ethic, they are Lackawanna League All-Stars, District medalists and had an outstanding state race,” said coach Macey.

TWI Sports wishes these girls the best of luck next year, and on their journey back to States.