Three Rams in top 10 at WPIAL championships

By JEREMY TEPPER

MVI Sports

The Ringgold boys cross country team knew the stakes were high Wednesday.

Competing in the WPIAL championships at White Oak Park, the Rams needed to place first among 2A teams to make it to the PIAA Championships. Ultimately they came up just short, compiling 85 points to finish second to Greensburg Salem’s 79.

In a normal year, that second place finish would’ve been good enough to make states, as three teams usually qualify. However, in this COVID-altered season, only one team made it.

It left the Rams with mixed feelings, knowing they’ve done better than any past Ringgold team, but not fulfilling their goal.

“Throughout the season we’ve been ranked first, so obviously we were coming in here hoping that everybody had their best day and be able to contend and beat Greensburg Salem,” said Ringgold coach Jennifer McMichael.

“If this were any other year our team would be in, and that’s never happened in Ringgold history. So it is bittersweet. Still, I couldn’t be more proud as a coach. They ran a very solid race today.”

Freshman Ryan Pajak led Ringgold’s efforts, finishing second overall with a time of 16:17, two seconds behind the winner, Knoch’s Mike Formica. Lucas Pajak and Ben Daerr finished 6th and 7th. All three of Ringgold’s top finishers qualified for the PIAA individual championships. Other local qualifiers on the day include McKeesport freshman Annah Kunes, who finished fourth among 2A girls and Serra Catholic senior Maya Poziviak, who finished 3rd among Class A girls.

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