MESHOPPEN — Caden Boettger qualified for the state meet and Jameson Radle joined him as a medalist Wednesday while leading Pittston Area to a fourth-place finish in the 10-team Class 3A boys field of the District 2 Cross Country Championships at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds.
Boettger finished the 3.1-mile course in 17:22.4 to place sixth out of 68 runners and claim the last available spot at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships, which will be held Saturday in Hershey.
Jack Shoemaker from Abington Heights edged Boettger by one-tenth of a second for fifth place.
The top team and next five individuals advance to state competition.
Wallenpaupack’s Aidan Janowicz, the 2024 champion, took second while leading the Buckhorns to a repeat of their team title by a 40-65 margin over Abington Heights. Janowicz’s presence in the top five opened the way for the sixth-place runner to advance.
West Scranton’s Seamus Wallace won in 16:42.7.
The top 15 in each race earned medals. Radle placed 12th in 18:00.9.
Jakob Mead was the third finisher from Pittston Area, taking 30th.
Wyoming Area was last out of 10 teams in Class 2A where Mid Valley beat Lake-Lehman 42-47 for the title, with both advancing to Hershey. Crestwood’s Mason Staude repeated as individual champion giving the Wyoming Valley Conference its only win on a day when the Lackawanna League took 11 of 12 titles.
Elliot Stoss led Wyoming Area, finishing 64th of 79.
The Class A boys ran the first of six races.
Old Forge placed 13th of 14 teams.
Kendel Jones won his fourth straight district title while leading Elk Lake to a team repeat. The Warriors won 38-61 over Riverside, which will also compete in Hershey.
Ronnie Kucharski was Old Forge’s top finisher, taking 51st out of 93.
