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Saturday, November 9, 2024, TRIB-LIVE
David Black spent most of his time during the PIAA Class 3A cross country championships attempting to dig out of a hole from the start of the race. The Fox Chapel senior needed a fast start to get on the medal stand.
Black ended up two spots short but was happy that, during his final high school season, the Foxes hit a lot of their team goals.
Fox Chapel qualified for states as a team by placing third at WPIALs and repeated as section champions. The Foxes finished in 15th place at states with 318 points.
State College won the state team title with a score of 53. Black finished the race in 16 minutes, 30 seconds to finish in 15th place.
“It was a hard race,” Black said. “We had 21 people run under 5:20 (per mile) at states. I still think I’m proud of how I did. I missed medaling by two places. It’s such a fast start. I started at like 100th-some place and was almost able to get a medal.”
Foxes coach Tom Moul knew Black would have to start fast to threaten to win a medal. Moul said developing that instinct comes with experience.
“Dave knows that, and his natural racing style is that he gets faster when the races go on,” Moul said. “You can’t always be quite so patient. With how chaotic the race is early on, it’s impressive he almost got a medal. He always closes strong.”
Fox Chapel senior Ethan Vaughan led the team with a seventh-place finish. Vaughan finished the race in 16 minutes, finishing 19 seconds behind Mifflin County’s Carter Smith, who won the race with a time of 15:41.
“I was happy with what Ethan did,” Moul said. “Those guys who were first through eighth were fast. Ethan did what he has been doing.”
Mike Costello (75th), Nicky Clump (100th), Doug Lisotto (119th), Harrison Park (137th) and Nolan Horne (139) also competed for the Fox Chapel boys.
On the girls’ side, Cecilia “CC” Ressler led the Foxes with a 38th-place finish. Ressler finished the race in 19:52. Freshman Ela Shevchuk placed 81st.
“They did a good job,” Moul said. “CC has done well all year and was one of the top WPIAL girls. The state race is big, and it takes experience to do well. Both of them have continued to improve, and I’m proud of them.”