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RUNNER OF THE YEAR
Lily Corsaro, York Suburban: The senior claimed her second straight award after another sensational season. Corsaro was edged by Kaylee Kubisiak in her attempt to finally claim the YAIAA crown, but even a third-straight runner-up finish did not diminish an excellent career.
Corsaro went undefeated in the regular season and led the charge for the Trojans at districts by placing ninth in 19:40. She continued her charge at states by placing 23rd in 19:21, a huge improvement from her 75th-place showing a year ago.
"Her work ethic is fantastic, and she was a great example for the other girls," said her coach, Dan VanHouwe. "She ran practice all year with the boys and plans to run at NYU next year."
ALL-STARS
Haley Cole, Kennard-Dale: The freshman made an impression by placing 16th at the YAIAA meet in 20:53 and followed that up by taking 64th at districts in 21:01.
Sami Gehly, York Suburban: The senior gave the Trojans a powerful, one-two punch with Corsaro, and Gehly excelled in her own right. Gehly raced to a third-place finish at the YAIAA meet in 19:52, and then chipped in with a 60th-place showing at districts after taking a hard fall in the stretch run. She finished 122nd at states. "Sami was the most
Hannah Jones, York Suburban: The senior, described as "solid as a rock" by her coach, placed 13th at the YAIAA meet in 20:51. Jones placed 91st at districts in 21:29, then wrapped up her season at states by placing 207th in 21:38.
Lauren Shrader, York Suburban: The sophomore enjoyed a solid second season, capped by a 10th-place finish at the YAIAA meet in 20:33. Shrader then turned it on at districts, posting a time of 20:12, good for 24th place, before wrapping up her year by placing 193rd at states. "Lauren stepped up toward the end of the year, and finished second for the team against Red Lion," VanHouwe said. "Following that meet, Lauren became the No. 3 runner for the team and went on to have a great finish."
Kayla White, Kennard-Dale: The freshman was ninth at the YAIAA meet in 20:28, then placed 69th at districts in 21:11.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dan VanHouwe, York Suburban: It's impossible to do any better than undefeated in one season, but there is perhaps one thing you can do to make it better: do it again. Suburban has taken that idea to amazing heights by doing it again, and again, and again.
The Trojans finished 18-0 again this year, but for the seniors on this squad, that is nothing new. That group of runners has never lost in the YAIAA, capping perfect careers with an astonishing record of 72-0.
"That's pretty awesome," VanHouwe said. "Coaching the girls is and will always be a pleasure. The girls have a great work ethic and attitude."
The team was led by seniors Corsaro and Gehly, along with fellow all-stars Shrader, a sophomore, and fellow senior Jones. A look at their results from various postseason events, however, shows why the team is so good. It's all about depth.
Senior Allie Lackey, freshman Rachelle Walker, and sophomore Kimmy Hall also stepped up at various meets.
The biggest win in the regular season came against Red Lion. Both teams came in with 9-0 records, but VanHouwe's girls stepped up in a big way and gave the Trojans bragging rights. Suburban was just getting warmed up for the postseason.
"A big highlight of the year was placing all seven girls in the top 20 at the league meet," VanHouwe said. "That has never been done before."
Suburban kept its foot on the gas in the postseason, placing fifth as a team at districts, and then taking 16th as a team at states.
"I have to give credit to the coaching staff (Ron Herman, Judy Stewart and Justin Krebs) for all the accomplishments the team has earned," VanHouwe said. "Coach Herman and I complement each other in the way we coach, and that has helped the girls go deep into the post season."
-- M.C. Helsabeck
