Pittston Area has reasons to be optimistic about the chances for both individual and team success in the 2025 girls cross country season.
Former Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships qualifiers Bella Dessoye, a junior, and Liv Scalese, a senior, are among the returnees.
Three others return from the usual scoring lineup from a squad that went 14-2 in Wyoming Valley Conference competition last season and the Lady Patriots have added a promising freshman.
Dessoye finished sixth in the conference meet and ninth in District 2 Class 3A last season to secure her second straight state meet trip. Scalese, a 2022 state meet qualifier, was 11th in the district last season after placing eighth in the conference meet.
“Bella and Liv are both state qualifiers, which brings leadership and what to do right for our squad,” Lady Patriots coach Joe Struckus said.
Struckus has high hopes for freshman Michaela Walsh whose addition “has really solidified the top three of our lineup.”
Senior Ellie Schardien and juniors Olivia Pantucci and Elizabeth Howells are the other returnees from last year’s top seven.
Brooke Hintze, Nina Albertelli and Leah Drozginski are other seniors who have been working their way up through the program.
“Ellie Schardien has really stepped up during the preseason and we’re seeing sign that Leah Drozginski is positioning herself into our top five,” Struckus said. “After that, we have veterans with Olivia Pantucci and Lizzie Howells, who have been top seven for us the last two years.
“This group of seniors, helped turn the program around four years ago, and will be looking to make another statement before they head out.”
Junior Ava Montagna and freshman Lexi Drozginski are newcomers to the team.
