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Senior Weston Fry competes at States for the last time

On the morning of Oct. 24t, the Montoursville Cross Country team geared up to run at the PIAA District playoff on the Bloomsburg University course.

One boy in particular was ready to bring his senior year to a close by making it to the state competition for the fourth and final time. 

Cross Country coach Mr. Aaron Runkle puts a medal on senior Weston Fry after an invitational at Hershey. Fry placed for the first time this year at the event. Photo provided by Runkle.

In cross country, runners have to place in the top 10 at districts to make it to states.

Senior Weston Fry did not disappoint, and he made the top 10, which secured his spot in the Nov. 2 state meet in Hershey. 

“I worked pretty hard this summer and I ran pretty much every day,” said Fry. 

Fry also worked with Cross Country coach Mr. Aaron Runkle on strength training to prepare and make sure he did the best he could. 

“[I’m] proud of him yet again, to make it to states all four years of his high school career,” said Runkle. “Some kids only make it once or twice in high school to the state level, so to stay dedicated and to make it all four years is a testament to his strength and willingness to train hard.”

The team was also very encouraging to Fry, cheering for him and screaming when his name was called at Districts and they realized he would be advancing to states. 

Runkle said that Fry ran a personal record at states by about 16 seconds, leaving everything he had on the course and finishing his senior season on a good note. He placed 30th overall at the meet. 

“It went pretty well,” said Fry when he talked about how he felt he did at states. “[It was the] fastest mile I’ve ever run in a cross country course so it was a fun time.” 

“[You] cannot ask an athlete to do much more than give it their all, and we were both ecstatic with the ending of his high school cross country season,” said Runkle. 

Focusing on next year, Runkle’s goal is to expand the team and get more athletes to the State level just like Fry. 

Runkle said that it is important not just to continue to get athletes to the last stage of the competition but to get them “Offers from colleges to continue their journey after high school.” 

Although important, those who play sports know that talent is not the only thing that makes for a good athlete, it also takes motivation to do hard things. 

  “I really motivate myself because all the work I put in over the summer was me, but my dad is always there, sometimes riding his bike alongside me so I want to get out there and do it for him,” said Fry. 

Fry’s time at Hershey was a personal best, but he said this year’s states was also a personal favorite out of the four he has been to. 

“For me, [states] was fun,” said Fry. “It was the last time so we just went and had fun and made sure we had memories to come back with.” 

Featured Image (at top): Fry proudly shows off his Montoursville shirt as he stands with other boys in the area that placed in the top 10. The event took place in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Sept. 21, 2024. Photo provided by Runkle.

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