The last stretch of a cross country race is often the most important, and with the regular season winding down and the postseason just around the corner, the most important and final leg of the 2025 cross country season is upon us.
From unbeaten starts between Emmaus, Parkland and Allentown Central Catholic on the boys side, to a nearly inseparable six-team cluster on the girls side, the EPC seems headed for photo finish in the last meets of the season before the league championship races take place next week.
There might not be an undefeated team remaining on the boys side in the Colonial League, but a similar three-horse race between Southern Lehigh, Notre Dame-GP and Wilson Area sets the stage for a tremendous league championship on Oct. 15. The same three teams are still fighting for superiority on the girls side with the Crusaders maintaining an undefeated record after handing Southern Lehigh its only loss last month.
From an individual perspective, there are several star runners looking to cap off historic careers for their respective programs.
Saucon Valley’s Virginia Kraus has yet to lose a postseason race in her cross country career and doesn’t appear ready to start now. The senior, who is in her second year with the Panthers after transferring from Moravian Academy, is unbeaten in league races with a season-best time of 17:07.30 in her home opener.
Emmaus’ Madelyn McCartney and Palmerton’s Connor Hibell are also out to extend their championship streaks in their respective divisions. Both came home with gold medals in each of the last two league and district championship meets and look like the favorites to make it three wins in a row in the next few weeks.
The only league and division without a defending champion in play is the EPC and District 11 3A boys where Freedom’s Dylan Boyle graduated as MVP and champion of both races. His younger brother, Brayden, is a top contender, but all eyes are on Parkland’s Colin McGuigan who missed last season but is back to contend for top honors.
More favorites and contenders are listed below, but here are some key dates and other storylines as the regular season comes to a close this week.
Championship meets
Wednesday, Oct. 15: EPC and Colonial League Championships, DeSales University
Wednesday, Oct. 22: District 11 Championships, DeSales University
Saturday, Nov. 1: PIAA Championships, Parkview Course in Hershey.
EPC runners to watch
Boys
Evan Guydish, Easton: Top returning finisher from 2024 EPC tournament (3rd place) with 16:58.50 time.
Jacob Casey, Nazareth: Top returning finisher from 2024 District 11 3A meet (3rd place) with 17:11.10 time.
Colin McGuigan, Parkland: Undefeated in regular season in first five events after missing last season; 5th place finish in districts as freshman two years ago.
Brayden Boyle, Freedom: Brother of reigning EPC MVP Dylan Boyle; 6th place finish in districts last season.
Will Haring, Allentown Central Catholic: Top-eight finisher in both EPC and District 11 2A tournaments last season.
Girls
Madelyn McCartney, Emmaus: Two-time defending EPC champion, two-time defending District 11 3A champion and PIAA medalist.
Elizabeth McClarin and Katie Drabouski, Liberty: Top-finishing returning teammates in both EPC and District 11 championships with 2nd/3rd and 2nd/4th finishes, respectively.
Harshita Keerthi, Parkland: Third fastest all-time finisher in course history at first home meet of season; 5th-place finish in District 11 meet last season.
Delaney Schoenberger and Helaina Acker, Nazareth: Schoenberger is returning state qualifier while Acker, who had PIAA-qualifying aspirations, missed district meet last season with illness; clear leaders on 10-2 Blue Eagles so far.
Vivian Clark, Easton: Top returning runner on deep and competitive Easton roster off to 12-0 league start; top-seven finisher at EPC and District championship meets last season.
Colonial League runners to watch
Boys
Miles Etters, Southern Lehigh: Five wins in six races to start the league season to lead Spartans to 22-1 record; 4th place finish at 2024 Colonial League meet.
Connor Hibell, Palmerton: Two-time defending Colonial League and District 11 2A champion.
Jeffrey Sunderlin, Wilson Area: Third-place finish at last season’s Colonial League meet and 4th place finish in districts.
Elijah Pagotto, Lehighton: Top-five finisher in Colonial League and District 11 2A championships.
Emmett Rieland, Notre Dame-GP: Top-10 finisher in leagues and districts last season; Top-three finisher in every league race this season with one win.
Girls
Virginia Kraus, Saucon Valley: Three-time defending league, district and state champion; won every race of the league season so far.
Juliana Bonham, Wilson Area: Five wins in six races (finished second to Kraus); Fourth place in league and district meets last season.
Samantha Karwacki, NDGP: Top finisher for Crusaders in every league meet this season, leading them to 24-0 record.
Caelee Lenhart, Southern Lehigh: Consistent top finisher for 23-1 Spartans; 12th-place finisher at 3A race last season.
Rosalia Nestor, NW Lehigh: Winner of Palmerton meet on 9/30 and consistent top finisher for the Tigers in her sophomore season.
Standings
Top eight in each conference
(as of 10/6/25)
EPC
Boys
Parkland; 12-0
Emmaus; 12-0
ACCHS; 12-0
Easton; 9-3
Nazareth; 9-3
Liberty; 8-4
Stroudsburg; 7-5
Freedom; 6-6
Whitehall; 6-6
ES North; 6-6
Girls
Easton; 12-0
Emmaus; 11-1
Parkland; 11-1
Freedom; 10-2
Liberty; 10-2
Nazareth; 10-2
Whitehall; 7-5
Northampton; 6-6
Stroudsburg; 6-6
Colonial League
Boys
NDGP; 23-1
Southern Lehigh; 22-1
Wilson Area; 21-3
NW Lehigh; 18-5
Saucon Valley; 18-6
Lehighton; 15-10
Palmerton; 12-10
Moravian Academy; 12-12
Palisades; 12-12
Girls
NDGP; 24-0
Southern Lehigh; 23-1
Wilson Area; 20-4
NW Lehigh; 18-6
Saucon Valley; 18-6
Pen Argyl; 15-9
Jim Thorpe; 14-11
Palisades; 9-15
Bangor; 9-15
Derek Bast is a freelance sports reporter who can be found on Twitter/X at @derek_bast or reached by email at derekbast11@gmail.com.
