Warren’s girls team finished fourth out of 22 qualifying teams, and Warren’s boys were 10th with senior Sam Lindell earning a state medal with his 13th-place finish.

Both Warren’s boys and girls teams advanced to states with runner-up finishes at the District 10 2A Championships.

Qualifying for states all four years, Lindell had his best finish — 13th out of 249 individual finishers in 16:35 to earn state medalist honors at Hershey Park.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of kids,” said Dustin. “Our girls team continues to impress, finishing fourth in the state is really an accomplishment. Our goal going in was top 10, but let’s see how high we can climb. I’d say they climbed up pretty far. It really validates all the hard work and training they put in. The girls already are hungry for more and want to do better.”

SAM LINDELL

D10 champ Cathedral Prep also won the state title ahead of Lewisburg, Danville, and Warren. Individually, Warren sophomore Emma Peterson was 38th out of 250 finishers and junior teammate Morgan Alexander 39th, both registering times of 20:38. Warren’s lone senior, Cassidy Britton, was 53rd in 20:54. Sophomore Leona Hovan finished 64th in 21:08, sophomore Adison Cullers 158th in 22:24, junior Riley Evan 187th in 23:03, and junior Loralei Johnson 240th in 25:24.

The Lady Dragons were making a return trip to states, but the Warren boys qualified for the first time in decades.

“The boys had a lot of inexperience going into this race with four freshmen, and it’s one of those races where you have to know how to attack it,” said Dustin. “They got out and competed well. The boys’ goal was top 10 and they did just that. I know the freshmen are already wanting to go back and improve how they did.

“Sam Lindell coming away with a state medal really cements himself as one of the best to do it for Warren,” said Dustin. “He’s been through a lot of ups and downs over the seasons to get here, and he’s extremely deserving of this accomplishment.”

Lindell was 36th last year on this course in 17:13, but saved his best for last with a state medal. He will soon be named the Region 4 Runner of the Year for the third year in a row.

“The more I run that course, the more comfortable it is,” said Lindell. “I feel like I ended it exactly how I wanted to. My goals were to go sub-16, and get a state medal, and I accomplished them by running a 15:44, and getting 13th at states.”

Senior teammate Cameron Williams was 83rd in 17:46, freshman Cole Fitzgerald 106th in 18:01, freshman Leyton Salvatore 148th in 18:29, freshman Reilly Morgan 196th in 19:13, freshman Greyson Collopy 205th in 19:25, and sophomore Gavin Heeter 243rd in 21:40.

“It was such an awesome day for Warren cross country, and it was great to see everyone so happy with how their season ended,” said Dustin. “It is a year that will definitely stand out and these kids made some great memories.”