Kosek Wins D4 Class 2A XC Championship; Whitey, Macias Qualify For States

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 24, 2025  /  Photo: Eric Kosek

Junior Lauren Kosek and seniors Henry Whitney and Max Macias all qualified for the PIAA State XC Meet in Hershey after their performances at Thursday's District IV XC Championships.

"Running XC races at a competitive level is more than just running, its about strategy, its about technique, its about following a race plan," head coach Eric Kosek said. "Today everything came together perfectly and got us the results we wanted."

Kosek won the Class 2A girls race, running a sub-18 minute race (17:59). Kosek was 2nd after the first two timing splits then made her way up to the lead spot at the 3rd timing spot.

Kosek held off rival Baylee Espinosa from Lewisburg, who ran 18:42.

"It is so so exciting to get my first district title," said Kosek. "I have been really close multiple times, coming runner-up by 4 seconds last year during cross country and also being 2nd at districts in the 3200 during track. To win a district title was not necessarily expected to be in the cards for me this year especially with how strong Baylee is, but I kept reminding myself that I have also gotten a lot stronger. My season has been way better than I could have ever hoped, I really went into this season back in August feeling like I would be satisfied with being just a few seconds faster than last year. I worked harder than ever over the summer and to see it pay off is just so exciting! Baylee and I are good friends and having such a good competitor is so fun. We've really gone back and forth, and it definitely shows how the only thing that matters is how you perform on that specific day, PRs and accolades from before that mean nothing."

Freshman Kaci Kosek finished 52nd overall in 23:57, senior Sophia Yoder (24:03) was 55th, sophomore Molly Tice (25:03) was 67th, sophomore Luisa Crocco (26:54) crossed the line 89th, and sophomore Anja Przybycien (27:10) was 92nd.

In the Class 2A boys race, Whitney finished 7th in 16:44 while Macias (17:06) was 13th.

"I thought today's race went really well," said Whitney. "I was definitely nervous beforehand seeing all the other guy's times but I'm really happy with where I ended up and I'm really happy I qualified for states since it's my first time going."

"I think I had a good race," added Macias. "I was a little slower then I hoped but I'm just happy that I made it to states and I really owe it all to god and everyone who helped me along the way! I'm glad to have had such a good high school career and I'm glad to end it this way!"

Freshman Taitt Webster (19:45) finished 80th, senior Ethan Geneski (20:28) was 86th, senior Henry Nowak (21:13) came home 95th, freshman Jacob Patterson (21:25) was right behind in 96th, and sophomore Jack Hammerton (21:47) was 104th.

Kosek, Whitney and Macias will return to action on November 1st for the PIAA Championships.