{"id":284696,"date":"2026-09-12T20:34:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T20:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/284696\/"},"modified":"2026-09-12T20:34:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T20:34:06","slug":"hs-cross-country-byrne-davies-win-lackawanna-county-commissioners-races-scranton-times-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/284696\/","title":{"rendered":"HS CROSS COUNTRY: Byrne, Davies win Lackawanna County Commissioners\u2019 races \u2013 Scranton Times-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wallenpaupack\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wallenpaupack\u2019s June Brown leads the pack early during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"North<\/p>\n

North Pocono\u2019s Brayden Schmidt emerges from the woods during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Old<\/p>\n

Old Forge\u2019s Elena Bialkowski finishes 7th overall with a time of 20:27.7 during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Mid<\/p>\n

Mid Valley\u2019s Elijah Campbell runs in the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Forest<\/p>\n

Forest City\u2019s Blake German looks to the final stretch during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Pittston<\/p>\n

Pittston Area\u2019s Quinnie Jones finishes 13th overall with a time of 21:20.2 during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"93<\/p>\n

93 varsity women participate in the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Scranton<\/p>\n

Scranton Prep\u2019s Vella Byrne rests after finishing first overall with a time of 19:18.1 during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Abington<\/p>\n

Abington Heights\u2019 Marley Gilboy finishes second overall with a time of 19:35.4 during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A group of runners begin the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Wallenpaupack\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wallenpaupack\u2019s Kelcie Fillebrown finishes 12th overall with a time of 21:16.3 during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Scranton\u2019s<\/p>\n

Scranton\u2019s Bianca Perez pushes through the finish during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Scranton\u2019s<\/p>\n

Scranton\u2019s Mikey Byrne emerges from the woods during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Junior<\/p>\n

Junior versity boys run in the finishing stretch of the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"93<\/p>\n

93 varsity women participate in the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

\"Wallenpaupack\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wallenpaupack\u2019s June Brown leads the pack early during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 16<\/p>\n

Wallenpaupack\u2019s June Brown leads the pack early during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park in Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Scranton Prep\u2019s Vella Byrne, and Riverside\u2019s Jack Davies won the girls and the boys varsity events Saturday at the Lackawanna County Commissioners\u2019 races at McDade Park.<\/p>\n

Byrne won the girls race with a time of 19:18.10, about 17 seconds before second-place finisher Abington Heights\u2019 Marley Gilboy (19:35.31).<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I did pretty good,\u201d Byrne said. \u201cI was happy with my effort. When my body got tired, I had to go into my mental state, and that really helped me push through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Scranton Prep freshman will look to continue to build off Saturday\u2019s win.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely think I can get better because it\u2019s the start of the season,\u201d Byrne said. \u201cI think I can achieve more in the future as the season goes on, but I think I\u2019m in a good place right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calli Gilboy (20:12.02) finished fifth, Giada Lovecchio (21:22.47) placed 14th, Addisyn Mummert (21:26.34) took 17th and Layla Caraballo (21:56.48) secured 22nd, as Abington Heights captured the team title with a score of 57.<\/p>\n

Scranton Prep placed second, with Aileana Connor (20:02.15) finishing third, Lilly Mayer (22:13.96) placing 27th, Ella Schofield (22:24.18) taking 28th and Rebecca Yeager (22:39.59) securing 31st for the Classics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team\u2019s performance was really good,\u201d Byrne said. \u201cWe\u2019re very together, and the vibes were high.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wallenpaupack\u2019s June Brown (20:05.39) finished fourth.<\/p>\n

Davies won the boys race with a time of 16:41.56, about 15 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Abington Heights\u2019 Joseph Grad (16:56.30).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty happy with it,\u201d Davies said. \u201cFirst two miles, I got out really well. I gapped the pack a little bit, got where I wanted to be. Last mile, though, it hit me hard. I can\u2019t lie. I started to slow down, but I pulled away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Riverside junior excelled during the downhill portions of the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can open up my stride and that\u2019s where I usually take it away, and that\u2019s kind of what I did today,\u201d Davies said. \u201cI made the 180 turn at the very bottom, and I could just tell that was my breaking point, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew Connor (16:59.68) placed third, Marco Nardone (17:11.15) finished sixth, Connor Moore (17:12.05) took seventh and Brady Higgins (17:46.60) placed 15th, as Riverside also captured the team title with a score of 29. The Vikings were the PIAA Class 1A runner-up last season, finishing second to Elk Lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was really good,\u201d Davies said of the team\u2019s performance. \u201cWe\u2019re obviously looking for that state title this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dylan Spatz (17:14.56) secured eighth, Nick Sutton (17:29.71) took 12th, Owen Scharle (17:42.53) placed 14th and Noa Thomas (17:51.22) finished 16th, as Abington Heights placed second with a score of 48.<\/p>\n

Nanticoke Area\u2019s Daniel Houssock (17:04.02) finished fourth, and Mid Valley\u2019s Chris von Ahnen (17:06.15) rounded out the top five.<\/p>\n

Forest City\u2019s Blake German won the boys junior high race with a time of 11:08.98 on the 1.8-mile course, while Abington Heights\u2019 Lila Rottevell won the girls junior high race with a time of 12:41.31.<\/p>\n

Boys varsity top 25: 1. Jack Davies (RIV), 16:41.56. 2. Joseph Grad (AH), 16:56.30. 3. Andrew Connor (RIV), 16:59.68. 4. Daniel Houssock (NAN), 17:04.02. 5. Chris von Ahnen (MV), 17:06.15. 6. Marco Nardone (RIV), 17:11.15. 7. Connor Moore (RIV), 17:12.05. 8. Dylan Spatz (AH), 17:14.56. 9. Joseph Bly (HAN), 17:16.76. 10. Daniel Salinas (WAL), 17:17.45. 11. Reeve Owen (MV), 17:25.29. 12. Nick Sutton (AH), 17:29.71. 13. Luis Mercado (MV), 17:31.06. 14. Owen Scharle (AH), 17:42.53. 15. Brady Higgins (RIV), 17:46.60. 16. Noa Thomas (AH), 17:51.22. 17. Chase Predmore (WAL), 17:52.80. 18. Max Hoffner (SCR), 17:58.16. 19. Jahliel LaRoche (DUN), 18:00.45. 20. Paul Rowlands (AH), 18:00.49. 21. Alexander Freeman (WAL), 18:02.14. 22. Nathan Mosher (MV), 18:02.37. 23. Gavin Best (NP), 18:02.90. 24. Connor McHale (NP), 18:04.89. 25. Ethan Von Voigt (MV), 18:08.15.<\/p>\n

Girls varsity top 25: 1. Vella Byrne (SP), 19:18.10. 2. Marley Gilboy (AH), 19:35.31. 3. Aileana Connor (SP), 20:02.15. 4. June Brown (WAL), 20:05.39. 5. Cali Gilboy (AH), 20:12.02. 6. Abby Kilker (HON), 20:15.88. 7. Meg Bartlebaugh (SCR), 20:19.68. 8. Elena Bialkowski (OF), 20:27.63. 9. Livvy O\u2019Brien (DUN), 20:55.87. 10. Megan O\u2019Donnell (NP), 20:58.04. 11. Evolette Reinard (NP), 21:14.61. 12. Kelcie Fillebrown (WAL), 21:16.27. 13. Quinnie Jones (PA), 21:20.18. 14. Giada Lovecchio (AH), 21:22.47. 15. Brynn Negvesky (OF), 21:23.77. 16. Bianca Perez (SCR), 21:24.50. 17. Addisyn Mummert (AH), 21:26.34. 18. Sarah O\u2019Donnell (NP), 21:32.68. 19. Anna Mizenko (NP), 21:52.11. 20. Alexis Noone (PA), 21:53.79. 21. Ayla Schappert (HAN), 21:55.01. 22. Layla Caraballo (AH), 21:56.48. 23. Alydia Olsommer (WAL), 21:58.34. 24. Fiona Grady (AH), 22:01.21. 25. Cali Talarico (OF), 22:01.25.<\/p>\n

Boys junior high top 10: 1. Blake German (FC), 11:08.98. 2. Bennett Scharle (AH), 11:23.48. 3. Sagan Suda (SCR), 11:29.32. 4. Sawyer Buselli (WAL), 11:35.46. 5. Mikey Byrne (SCR), 11:45.21. 6. Elijah Campbell (MV), 11:46.53. 7. Jon Tarr (HP), 11:48.01. 8. Jerry Connolly (RIV), 11:51.84. 9. Maxon Best (NP), 11:57.58. 10. Reed Lesjack (FC), 12:02.52.<\/p>\n

Girls junior high top 10: 1. Lila Rottevell (AH), 12:41.31. 2. Parker DeLeon (WAL), 12:46.64. 3. Addison Trently (AH), 12:51.36. 4. Harper Laffey (SCR), 13:09.94. 5. Aubrey Franks (FC), 13:19.89. 6. Giada Sparacino (MV), 13:20.13. 7. Anna Nebzdyosky (FC), 13:26.15. 8. Kendra Maldonado (MV), 13:29.81. 9. Aleigha Gliniecki (VV), 13:30.69. 10. Margaret Schloessser (HON), 13:32.99.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wallenpaupack\u2019s June Brown leads the pack early during the 32nd annual Lackawanna County Commissioner\u2019s Race at McDade Park…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":284697,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[305,178,180,179,726],"class_list":["post-284696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-high-school-sports","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284696\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/284697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}