Congratulations to Emma Haugh for representing Knoch HS at the 2021 PIAA State Cross-Country Championships held in Hershey, PA this past Saturday morning.  Emma competed in the PIAA (AA) Girls Race and finished in 167th place out of 252 runners from across PA. She finished the State course with a time of 22:41. Great Job Emma!  

The Knoch Varsity Cross Country Teams competed this afternoon at the WPIAL Cross Country Championships held at Cal U. 

Congratulations to Emma Haugh who qualified for the PIAA State Championship with her performance today.  She earned a qualifying spot by finishing the race in 20th place overall. The girls team finished in 11th place out of 27 teams.

Knoch Girls Results:
19  Emma Haugh, So*       21:56.7    
31  Yumiko Kuo, Sr*       22:42.7    
42  Jocelyn Holko, Sr*    23:17.4    
101  Grace Bogacz, Jr*    25:41.9    
113  Jaydon Crawford, Sr* 26:07.6    
128  Josie Johnson, Fr*   27:11.8   

The boys team was lead by Eli Ruediger who finished 42nd overall. The boys teams finished in 20th place out of 28 teams. 

Knoch Boys Results:
42  Elijah Ruediger, So    19:11.2    
80  Michael Stull, So      20:07.5    
110  Austen Haugh, So      21:07.3   
136  Kevin Justi, Fr       22:06.2    
147  Evan Chess, Jr        22:57.8   
165  Jacob Deal, Fr        25:13.0   

Full Girls Results:

https://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R102821AD.html

Full Boys Results:

https://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R102821AE.html

Emma Haugh will compete next Saturday at the PIAA State Cross Country Championships in Hershey, PA.  She will be competing in the AA Girls Race at 10:15 am.  Good Luck!

Yesterday the Knoch Varsity Cross-Country Teams traveled to Cal U to compete at the Tri-State Championships.

Girls Results:

Thr girls finished as a team in 9th place out of 21 teams.

Yumiko Kuo       22:17 
Jocelyn Holko    23:17
Emma Haugh       23:38
Grace Bogacz     24:11
Jaydon Crawford  26:05
Josie Johnson    26:27

The Boys team finished in 18th place overall as a team out of 21 teams.

Michael Stull  19:34
Austen Haugh   21:00
Kevin Justi    21:19
Evan Chess     22:49
Sheldon Deal   22:57
Jacob Deal     24:40

Both teams will be back in action next week Thursday Oct. 28 for the WPIAL Championships at Cal U.  

Good Luck Knights!

The HS/MS Cross-Country Teams competed at the Rocky Grove Invite held at Two Mile Run Park in Franklin, PA this past Saturday morning.

In wet, sloppy conditions - Yumiko Kuo (9th place overall) and Emma Haugh (15th place overall) both earned medals for their performances by leading the Girl's Team to a 7th place finish out of 20 teams.

Knoch Girls Results:
Yumiko Kuo, Sr             22:15    
Emma Haugh, So             22:34    
Jocelyn Holko, Sr          24:50    
Grace Bogacz, Jr           26:12    
Josie Johnson, Fr          27:18   
Jaydon Crawford, Sr        27:33

Leading the Boy's Team was - Eli Ruediger who finished in 54th place overall, the Boy's team finished 17th out of 24 teams.

Knoch Boys Results:
Elijah Ruediger, So        20:28    
Austen Haugh, So           22:01    
Sheldon Deal, Jr           22:12    
Kevin Justi, Fr            22:15    
Evan Chess, Jr             22:20 
Michael Stull, So          23:45   
Jacob Deal, Fr             26:02

MS Cross-Country Results:

Boys -

Carter French - 42nd place overall, time 14:22

Grady Robb - 74th place overall, time 15:42

Girls -

Jamey Palmer - 85th place overall, time 17:29

Alyssa Patterson - 92nd place overall , time 17:48

AnnaSophia West - 135th place overall, time 20:53

For Complete Meet Results:

https://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R101621DA.html

Both teams are back in action this Thursday at the Tri-State Invite at Cal U.  Good Luck Harriers!

Knoch Cross Country Runner Yumiko Kuo was selected as the Tribune Review Girls Athlete of the Week

Link to the story: 

https://tribhssn.triblive.com/a-k-valley-girls-athlete-of-the-week-knochs-yumiko-kuo/

The Middle School Cross-Country Team finished their season yesterday with a race against Burrel MS.

For the Knoch Boys - 

Carter French took 1st place overall with a time of 10:36 which was a season best time and the 4th fastest time by a 7th grader on our home course.

Grady Robb was second overall with a time of 12;14.

For the Knoch Girls - 

Jamey Palmer ran a season best time of 14:46 winning the girls race.

Zoey Wyant was third overall with a seson best time of 15:23.

Alyssa Patterson finished 4th overall with a season best time of 15:58.

AnnaSophia finished 6th overall with a time of 17:20.

Congratulations runners on a great season. 

The HS Boy's and Girl's Cross Country Teams Celebrated Senior Night by sweeping both Burrell and Greensburg Central Catholic.

The girls posted victories - over Burrell 18-39 and GCC 23-32.  The team captured their third Section 4 AA Championship in a row (2021, 2020 and 2019).  They have compiled a record of 32-0 over this span dating back to Oct. 2, 2018.  That 2018 year's girls team were Section 4 Runner-up finishing 10-1 overall.  So over the past four season this years Seniors have had an impressive run going 42-1 in cross country races. 

Leading the Lady Knights to victory -

Senior - Yumiko Kuo finished 2nd overall with a career personal best time of 21:07 on the Knights home course.  Emma Haugh finished 3rd overall with a time of 21:39.  Senior - Jocelyn Holko finished in 6th place with a time of 22:35.  Grace Bogacz finished in 7th place with a time of 23:38.  Senior Jaydon Crawford was 8th overall with a time of 24:14.  And Josie Johnson finished in 14th place with a time of 26:49.

The Boy's Team defeated Burrell 27-29 and GCC 18-41 to improve to 6-3 on the season. 

Leading the Knights today was Eli Ruediger finishing in first place overall with a time of 18:12.  Austen Haugh finished in 3rd place with a time of 18:48.  Michael Stull finished in 7th place with a time of 20:21.  Evan Chess finished in 9th place with a time of 21:19.  Kevin Justi finished 10th overall with a time of 21:19.  Sheldon Deal finished in 11th place with a time of 21:30.  And rounding out the Knights team was Jacob Deal 24:01 and Nick Collins with a time of 31:43. 

Full meet results - http://runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R100521BA.html

Great Job Knights!  The Team will now be preparing for the upcoming WPIAL Team Championships on October 28 by competing in several upcoming invites. 

Jocelyn Holko

Parents – Chris and Trisha Holko

Siblings – sister Keenan

6 years on the Cross-Country Team

Hobbies/ Interests – Baking, science, writing and reading

Future Plans – Go to attend BC3 for 2 years and switch to Pitt for Dentistry School.

Goals – To become a dentist, wear a lab coat and make some cash.

Positive People – her father who believes and pushes her to be her best.  Her Grandparents for all their support.  Her sister for her loyalty, and her mother for emotional support.    

Advice to underclassmen – Enjoy and love every moment of what you are doing.   

Yumiko Kuo

Guardians – Chris and Nancy Marshall

Siblings – Teresa, Yukina and Danny He

3 years on the Cross-Country Team

Hobbies/ Interests – Arts, Traveling and sports (Lacrosse and Cross-Country)

Future Plans – Go to Pennsylvania College of Technology and major in Graphic Design with a minor in Entrepreneurship.  Considering running in college.  After graduation, Yumiko would like to open up and own a Board game Café, travel the world, go on Mission trips and cross things off here bucket list.

Goals – get a steady job save money travel and stay in contact with her teammates

Positive People – her mother for being a positive role model as a single parent.  Her two older sisters for always being there. Her younger brother because of him she has learned many life lessons and was, given so much unconditional love.  In addition, her guardians Chris and Nancy Marshall without them she would not be where she is today.    

Most memorable experience – her first year on the team making Senior Scrapbooks.  That experience helped bring her closer to her teammates.

Advice to underclassmen – Do not stress over everything.  Because at the end of the day what it comes down to it, it is what is right and what brings you joy.  Believe me when I say this no matter how hard things might be there is at least one good thing that has happened during your day to be happy for that. 

Jaydon Crawford

Parents – Donny and Tammi Crawford

Her dog - Lhaney

5 years on the Cross-Country Team

Hobbies/ Interests – KDA, Spanish Club, Chemistry Club, and Tap Dance outside of school.

Future Plans – Attend Duquesne University and enroll in the Pharmacy Program

Positive People – Her parents have shown her how to be a Leader and how to be the best person she can be.  They have been at every race they could (even during Covid times) and always has been her biggest cheerleaders.    

Most memorable experience – The extremely sketchy Super 8 Motel the team stayed at when we went to the Foundation race.  Also, walking the Riverview Cross-Country course and watching Coach Brahler bike the entire trail.

Advice to underclassmen – Keep those legs moving.  If you have to bride them with candy, Chick-Fil-A or Lulu lemon leggings it is all right.  

Elyse Chess

Parents – Amy and Dan Chess

Siblings – brother Evan

4 years on the Cross-Country Team

Hobbies/ Interests – Running, and drowning in schoolwork

Goals – Stay healthy and find balance in life

Future Plans – Go to college to earn a degree in either Engineering or Medicine.  To travel and live in a city in an epic apartment.  To own a dog.

Positive People – Her Parents, Teammates, Coaches and teachers at Knoch High School (Science Department)    

Most memorable experience – Her Sophomore year trip when the Cross-Country went to Hershey for the Foundation race

Advice to underclassmen – Enjoy the journey and appreciate every moment.  You never know when a pandemic might wreck your season.  

The Knoch MS Cross-Country Team competed this morning at the Grove City Invite. 

For the boys - 

Carter French finished in 6th place earning a medal with a time of 12:19. 

Grady Robb finished 34th overall with a time of 13:55. 

For the girls - 

Jamey Palmer finished 68th with a time of 16:18.

Alyssa Patterson finished 71st with a time of 17:31.

Zoey Wyant finished 74th overall with a time of 17:57.

AnnaSophia West finished 80th overall with a time of 18:46. 

The team will wrap up their season on Tuesday with a meet at home vs Burrell. 

Good luck Knights. 

Carter French took home top honors by winning the MS race today with a time of 10:05.

Grady Robb was 10th overall with a time of 11:38.

For the girls finishing in 8th place was Jamey Palmer (13:58), 9th place overall Zoey Wyant (13:59, in 10th place Alyssa Patterson (14:22) and 14th place overall was AnnaSophia West (15:30).

The MS runners will be back in action on Saturday morning when they will travel to compete in the Grove City Invite.  Good Luck Knights!

Full results - https://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R092821CB.html

The Knoch Cross-Country teams traveled to Oakmont, PA for a key Section 4 meet w/ Riverview and Freeport this afternoon.

The Lady Knights led by first placer finisher Yumiko Kuo (22:13). Defeated Riverview 24-31 and Freeport 18-38.  The girls team remains undefeated at 8-0 on the season.  The following ladies helped seal the victory today:

Emma Haugh (22:37)

Jocelyn Holko (22:46)

Grace Bogacz (23:42)

Jaydon Crawford (24:11)

Elyse Chess (25:47)

Josie Johnson (28:13)

The boys team lost races to Riverview 15-49 and Freeport 15-47.  The boys team stands at 4-3 in Section 4 competition.  Racing for the Knights today:

Eli Ruediger (19:16)

Austen Haugh (19:32)

Michael Stull (20:21)

Kevin Justi (21:11)

Evan Chess (21:46)

Jacob Deal (24:39)

Nick Collins (31:08)

Full meet results - http://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R092821CC.html

Both teams will be back in action to wrap up the regular season next Tuesday October 5 when they will host Burrell and Greensburg Central Catholic.  The teams will be celebrating Senior Night - (girls) Elyse Chess, Yumiko Kuo, Jocelyn Holko and Jaydon Crawford. 

The girls team will also be running for the Section Championship come out and cheer the Knights to Victory.

The Middle School Cross Country runners hosted Shady Side Academy on Tuesday afternoon.  For the boys, Carter French finished first overall with a time of 10:45 and Grady Robb finished in 4th place with a time of 12:38. For the girls, Jamey Palmer ran 14:54 finishing in 4th place. Alyssa Patterson ran 15:58 finishing in 5th place and, Annasophia West ran 16:00 finishing in 6th place.

Special Congratulations to Carter French who ran the 5th fastest time for a Knoch Seventh Grade Boys All-time.

Top 5 Knoch (7th grade All-time):

1. Anthony Smaldino (2008) - 10:20

2. Austin Micko (2013) - 10:26

3. Holden Stallsmith (2014) - 10:27

4. Ethan Sloane (2013) - 10:43

5. Carter French (2021) - 10:45

The Knights will be back in action on Saturday at the Freeport Invite.  Good Luck Knights!

Both teams will be back in action next Tuesday, September 28 when they will travel to Oakmont to take on Riverview and Freeport.  Good Luck Knights!

The Knoch Cross-Country Teams opened up Section 4 competition today.  The teams hosted Deer Lakes, Ellis and Holy Lutheran Redeemer.

Varsity Girls Results: (3-0)

Knoch 17  Deer Lakes 44

Knoch 15  Ellis 50

Knoch 15 Lutheran Redeemer 50

The girls team placed 7 runners in the top 10 as they defeated all three schools.  

Emma Haugh - 1st place time 22:52

Yumiko Kuo - 2nd place time 23:03

Elyse Chess - 3rd place time 23:16

Jocelyn Holko - 4th place time 23:22

Grace Bogacz - 7th place time 25:44

Jaydon Crawford - 8th place time 25:46

Josie Johnson - 9th place time 27:25

Varsity Boys Results: (2-0)

Knoch 26  Deer Lakes 31

Knoch 17  Lutheran Redeemer 44

The boys team placed 6 runners in the top 10 as they defeated both schools.

Eli Ruediger - 2nd place time 19:00

Austen Haugh - 3rd place time 19:25

Michael Stull - 6th place time 19:38

Sheldon Deal - 7th place time 21:11

Kevin Justi - 8th place time 21:40

Evan Chess - 10th place time 21:51

Jacob Deal - 17th place time 24:37

MS boys results -

Carter French - 2nd place finish with a time of 11:43

Grady Robb - 6th place finish with a time of 13:15

MS girls results -

Jamey Palmer - 7th place finish overall with a time of 15:57

Zoey Wyant - 8th place finish overall with a time of 16:01

Annasophia West - 14th place finish overall with a time of 19:08

Alyssa Patterson - 15th place finish overall with a time of 19:08

Both teams are back in action next Tuesday September 21 when they host Shady Side Academy, Highlands and Southmoreland.  Come out and cheer the team to victory.

Left to right:

Jocelyn Holko - Yumiko Kuo - Elyse Chess - Jaydon Crawford

The Boy's and Girl's Cross-Country Teams traveled to White Oak Park this past weekend to compete at the Red-White-Blue Invitational.

The Lady Knights finished in 9th place as a team.

Leading the Lady Knights -

Yumiko Kuo ran a personal best time of 20:51 finishing 23rd overall and earned medalist honors. Jocelyn Holko also ran a personal best time of 22:11 finishing in 42nd place overall. Rounding out the Knights performances on the day - Emma Haugh (45th place overall with a time of - 22:15), Elyse Chess (70th place overall with a time of 23:43), Jaydon Crawford (80th place overall with a time of 24:04), Josie Johnson (110th place overall with a time of 26:14) and Morgan Clark (129th place overall with a time of 32:35). 

The Boy's finished in 17th place overall as a team.

Leading the Knights -

Eli Ruediger ran a personal best time of 18:09 and finished in 47th place overall.  Rounding out the Knights performances on the day included - Austen Haugh (80th place overall with a time of 19:19), Michael Stull (97th place overall with a time of 20:05), Sheldon Deal (102nd place overall with a time of 20:10), Evan Chess (103rd place overall with a time of 20:13), Jacob Deal (123rd place overall with a time of 23:22) and Nick Collins (132nd place overall with a time 31:35).

For complete results from all the races: https://www.runhigh.com/2021RESULTS/R091021AA.html

Both teams will be back in action next Tuesday, September 14th. When they open up section competition hosting - Deer Lakes, Ellis School and Lutheran Redeemer.  Come out and cheer the Knights to victory.  Races start at 4:00 pm with a MS race, 4:30 pm will be Varsity Girls and following that will be the Varsity Boys race.

Good Luck Knights!

On Wednesday the Middle School Cross Country runners competed against Freeport and Deer Lakes at Freeport. 

In the boys race, Carter French finished 3rd with a time of 12:56.  Grady Robb finished 12th with a 14:41.

In the girls race, Zoey Wyant was 13th with a time of 17:58, Jamie Palmer was 15th with 18:05, Alyssa Patterson finished 18th in 18:18, followed by Annasophia West in 19th place with a time of 19:00.

Both teams will be back in action next Tuesday when they host Deer Lakes. 

The Knoch Boys and Girls Cross-Country Teams traveled to the Cal U - Marty Uher Invite this past weekend (Sept. 4th) to open up the 2021-22 season.

The Boys Team finished 23rd overall as a team. 

Placing for the Knights -

Eli Ruediger - 19:11 (47th place)

Sheldon Deal - 21:28 (94th place)

Evan Chess - 25:54 (151st place)

Jacob Deal - 26:30 (155th place)

Nick Collins - 37:21 (168th place)

The Girls Team finished 10th place overall as a team.

Placing for the Knights -

Yumiko Kuo - 23:05 (22nd place)

Jocelyn Holko - 24:04 (47th place)

Grace Bogacz - 24:04 (48th place)

Jaydon Crawford - 26:17 (93rd place)

Josie Johnson - 30:02 (143rd place)

Both teams will be back in action next weekend Sept. 11 when they will travel to White Oak Park for the Red White Blue Classic.

Good Luck Knights!

D7-AA Boys - Team & Individuals Breakdown

• Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
• State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 3
• State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 15
• 2020 Individual Champion: Mike Formica (Knoch) - 16:15
• 2020 Team Champions: Greensburg Salem - 79 points

Individuals Breakdown

The state's top freshman was season was Ringgold's Ryan Pajak. The impressive ninth grader was second at WPIAL's in AA and ninth at the state meet. Seven of the top eight boys in WPIAL-AA were seniors last year, with Pajak being the exception. As he moves into his sophomore season he will be among the premiere tenth graders to keep an eye on.

After Pajak, the door is open for other boys to make a name for themselves in WPIAL-AA. Carson McCoy of Deer Lakes will be one to watch. He  was 12th at WPIALs last season, missing out on state qualification. But the senior is coming off an incredible track season that saw him go 4:16.48 for 1600m and win the AA state crown. If he can convert that track speed into XC speed, he could be in line for a big fall.

Greensburg Salem's Charles Johnson was ninth at WPIALs last season and 62nd at the state meet. He'll look to compete for a high place at WPIALs this season. New Castle's Lucas Bradley, McKeesport's Aaron Elm, North Catholic's Ben Capozzi, Indiana's Owen Putt, and Greensburg Salem's Jacob Smith are the other top 20 WPIAL finishers from 2020 back this season.

Team Breakdown

Ringgold just missed out on the state meet last season. With the pandemic limiting each district/classification to just one team spot, Ringgold fell short of a trip to Hershey, taking second in D7-AA to the district champs from Greensburg Salem by 6 points. This season, there are three spots for the state meet back, and Ringgold may be the team to beat for that spot.

Back is Ryan Pajak for Ringgold, and while they lose their 2-3 runners from last season, they return some good depth and could make some noise on the district and state level.

After that, it looks wide open for the other state spots. Greensburg Salem, last year's district champs that took fifth at the state meet, lose four varsity boys from last season. To contend this year, the Lions will need to add some depth, but this is a strong program that is certainly capable of just that. Teams like Indiana Area (third in the district last year) and Montour (fourth) also lose some key seniors from last year and will need to retool to be a factor this fall.

North Catholic is a team to watch. Fifth in D7-AA last fall, NC brings back six of seven from 2020. They may not have a clear frontrunner, but this squad has good grouping and should contend for a high finish. Keep an eye on teams like New Castle, Uniontown Area, and Knoch. It's a relatively wide open season in D7-AA this year and a number of teams will be looking to capitalize.

Breakdown: District 7 (WPIAL) Girls

D7-AA Girls - Team & Individuals Breakdown

• Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
• State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 3
• State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 15
• 2020 Individual Champion: Jolena Quarzo (Brownsville) - 18:40
• 2020 Team Champions: North Catholic - 77 points

Individuals Breakdown

Jolena Quarzo enjoyed a big sophomore season. The Brownsville distance runner was terrific last fall, winning four races, including the WPIAL title in Class AA before placing second at the PIAA State Championships. Out of the shadows of her older sister Gionna Quarzo (now at NC State), Jojo got even better last season. In the spring, Quarzo went 10:30 for 3,200 meters on the track -- a sign that she is poised for a big junior year.

On the heels of that big spring season, we'll see if Quarzo can make a run at the AA state title, as she will go up against last year's champion, Olivia Haas. It's a matchup to keep an eye on this season.

All of the top ten girls from WPIAL-AA are back this fall, which will make it even more competitive. Quarzo is the big favorite, but there is a lot of depth. Four other girls earned state medals last season. Montour's Lakyn Schaltenbrand was second in the district and seventh at the state meet last season. It was a big freshman season for Schaltenbrand, who can build off that for next season. At states, she was followed by another WPIAL frosh, Annah Kunes of McKeesport. As a ninth grader, Kunes placd eighth at states after a fourth place district run. Those two are the No. 2 and No. 3 returning sophomores this year in AA based on state finish.

Uniontown's Hope Trimmer is also back from the top ten in the state last season. The rising junior was tenth in AA at Hershey last season as a sophomore. She was third in the district, and she too, will be a big factor again this fall after a breakthrough season last year. The other returning state medalist from WPIAL-AA is Montour's Harley Kletz, who was sixth in the district and 18th at states.

North Catholic's Grace Lazzara was 30th at states after a fifth place district run; look for her to have plenty of motivation to chase a state medal this season. Quaker Valley's Anna Cohen and Greensburg Salem's Natalie DiCriscio also qualified for states last year, which is no small feat given how few spots were allotted to each district. The Knoch duo of Elyse Chess and Emma Haugh just missed out on states last year, but both are back this season and will be ones to watch after their near misses in 2020.

Team Breakdown

It's back to three state spots for WPIAL-AA this season after a year where there was just one state qualifying spot for an otherwise very stacked district. North Catholic earned that lone state spot, edging out Montour by ten points for the district title. In 2021, those two squads will be back as a pair of the favorites.

North Catholic, which placed third at the state meet after winning WPIALs last season, loses just one girl from last year's team. Lazzara and Alaina Hicks are a strong 1-2 punch and NC could be looking at its second district title in a row (after moving up from 1A before the start of last season). Montour, though, will be a very strong team again this season, returning all seven of its varsity girls this season. Schaltenbrand and Kletz are as good of a duo as you will fight in AA, and those lowsticks will be crucial.

Ringgold was fourth last year, but brings back its full top five from last season -- a team that had the thinnest 1-5 gap of the contending teams last year. Knoch, with that strong top two, also brings back its full varsity squad from last season. They were fifth last season, but will absolutely be a top three contender this season. Beaver Area and Greensburg Salem will be right in the mix, too, with each having a good core return this fall.

It's going to be a close battle in this very deep district this year on the team side.