Tigers’ win creates co-champs in Section 2-2A

By JEREMY TEPPER

MVI Sports

McKeesport knew it would need its best to take down Elizabeth Forward, and that’s what the Tigers provided.

In a cross-country meet at Round Hill Park that pitted McKeesport, Elizabeth Forward, Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin against each other, the McKeesport girls took first place. The victory assured the Tigers a three-way tie of the section title along with Elizabeth Forward and Uniontown. Had Elizabeth Forward won, it would’ve had sole possession of the section. EF finished second.

“We had something to win today. We knew we had something to achieve for our school that we could be proud of,” said McKeesport coach Mark Bacco. “This group is really tight and really close knit and that’s what pulled us through. They did not want to let each other down. They were fighting to the finish.”

Tigers’ sisters Macayle and Makaila Wade took first and second place with times of 20:11.9 and 20:39, respectively. Macayle started to pull ahead on the back hill about a mile out. Both said that they felt good in warmups.

“In the summer it’s a little rough for me because it’s just way too hot, and it’s very humid and I can’t run in that,” Macayle Wade said. “So in the beginning it was OK, but now I’m reaching my peak. I’m feeling really good.”