WATTSBURG - Eisenhower's region schedule opened in sloppy conditions Tuesday as the Knights participated in a tri-meet with the Corry Beavers and Seneca Bobcats at Seneca Area High School.
The Knights' boys team started the season strong with two victories, defeating Corry 25-32 and Seneca, 20-35.
Eisenhower was defeated by Corry, 15-50, in girls action and the Bobcats and Knights did not score the meet as both teams featured fewer than five runners.
The male runners for Eisenhower were extremely strong with three athletes finishing among the top five. Anthony Amroski led the way with a strong third-place run of 18:43 and Devin VanGuilder was just six seconds back in fourth. Ben Perkins - a first year runner who also plays soccer for the Knights - was a strong fifth in 20:12.
The winning effort also featured strong runs from Ben Morrison (8th, 20:46), Tim Lange (10th, 21:03), Matt Jewell (17th, 22:24), Derek Lasecki (18th, 23:37), Jason Morine (22nd, 25:04) and Jacob Hoffman (23rd, 25:30).
"Corry's top two runners (Pondel and Royek) are very strong, but our first three boys are doing a great job themselves," said Ike coach Darlene Beach. "I thought Ben Morrison also stepped up nicely running fourth for us today. The times were down a little bit from Saturday, but conditions weren't really the best today."
Despite only having four runners, Eisenhower had an outstanding performance from first-year runner Julia Bauer. Bauer finished the 5K course in 23:08 - good enough for second on the day. Teammate Lacey Stanko was next across the line for Eisenhower, finishing seventh in 25:35. Freshman Kate Daugharthy (12th, 26:17) and Grace Thompson (16th, 29:02) also competed for Eisenhower.
"I think Julia really made a statement that she is going to be competitive and able to run with the top runners," said Beach. "Lacey had a stronger race today than on Saturday and Kate and Grace are making nice strides as well."
The Knights will compete in a home meet on Tuesday with North East and county rival Warren coming to town for a 4 p.m. meet.
Boys
Seneca 28, Corry 29
Eisenhower 25, Corry 32
Eisenhower 20, Seneca 35
Results: 1. Austin Pondel (C) 18:22, 2. Curtis Royek (C) 18:28, 3. Anthony Amroski (E) 18:43, 4. Devin VanGuilder (E) 18:49, 5. Ben Perkins (E) 20:12, 6. Paris Esterline (S) 20:17, 7. Cyle Yaple (S) 20:43, 8. Ben Morrison (E) 20:46, 9. Alex Burke (S) 20:52, 10. Tim Lange (E) 21:03, 11. Dennis Whiteley (C) 21:48, 12. Dale Zdunsky (S) 21:23, 13. Mike Gray (C) 21:36, 14. Correy Nadolny (S) 21:42, 15. Simon DeAngelo (S) 21:45, 16. Andy Hanes (S) 22:10, 17. Matt Jewell (E) 22:24, 18. Derek Lasecki (E) 23:37, 19. Jim Henson (S) 24:13, 20. Trae Biondi (C) 24:54, 21. Nate Merry (C) 25:01, 22. Jason Morine (E) 25:04, 23. Jacob Hoffman (E) 25:30
Girls
Corry 15, Seneca 50
Corry 15, Eisenhower 50
Results: 1. Kelsey Leasure (S) 22:17, 2. Julia Bauer (E) 23:08, 3. Danielle Munsee (C) 24:31, 4. Taylor Blanton (C) 24:46, 5. Rachel Nye (S) 25:05, 6. Brie Sutherland (C) 25:02, 7. Lacey Stanko (E) 25:35, 8. Rymer Habib (C) 25:44, 9. Sydney Way (C) 26:11, 10. Paeten Graves (C) 26:15, 11. Marla Aeimaselae (C) 26:16, 12. Kate Daugharthy (E) 26:17, 13. Kesslie Hall (C) 26:48, 14. Emily Dingfelder (C) 27:53, 15. Amanda Fielding (C) 28:45, 16. Grace Thompson (E) 29:02, 17. Natalie Lund (C) 29:30, 18. Darci Haehn (C) 32:45, 19. Samantha Shoetestal (S) 31:41