Cross Country Tops Off Successful Season with 2nd and 3rd Place in the State Championships
On Saturday, November 12, the Archmere cross country team competed at the DIAA State Championships at Killens Pond State Park. Following a 3rd place finish at the New Castle County Championships, the girls took home 2nd place in the state, competing incredibly well against a very talented St. Andrew's team, who would eventually win the meet. They were led by captain Maddie Priest ‘24, who took home 9th place overall and earned 3rd Team All-State. Notable finishes also included Taylor Costa ’23, who took home 15th place in the state, her first year ever running cross country. Co-captain Ryan Vitola ’24 placed 21st, Anna Benner ’24 placed 22nd, and Helen Socorso ’25 rounded out the scoring by placing 28th.
Maddie Priest ’24 reflected on the season by saying, "This season the girls got really close! We came to practice with a common goal and excitement about our training. We had a lot of fun along the way too."
Coaches highlights and season stats for the girls included:
- The team collectively ran a total of 5159 miles this season
- Individually each runner improved on average by over a minute
- Four individuals received All-DSAC Team honors – Maddie Priest ’24, Taylor Costa ’23, Helen Socorso ’25 and Marina Mahon ‘25
- Maddie Priest ’24 & Taylor Costa ’23 received All-County Team honors
- Maddie Priest ’24 received All-State Team (3rd Team) honors
- Best County Championship team finish since 2008
- Best State Championship team finish since 2010
The boys also had a noteworthy season. They entered the State Championship meet unranked and ultimately finished 3rd in the state, edging out DSAC conference rivals DMA and Newark Charter. A highlight of the season was newcomer Richie Angiullo ’25 who finished the highest at the State Championship meet, taking 8th place his first year running cross country. After sitting out last fall with a stress fracture in his leg, Camilo Alvarez ’24 worked extremely hard over the past year to make his way back onto varsity, placing 14th in the state. Captain Julian Facciolo ‘23 placed 20th, and Owen Parsons ’26 rounded out the scoring and took home 29th.
Senior captain Josh Ponzio '23, also named the most improved runner, reflected on the season saying, “Collectively as a team we worked really hard over the summer and saw the season come full circle in November as we experienced great success".
Coaches highlights and season stats for the boys included:
- The team collectively ran a total of 5917 miles this season
- Individually each runner improved on average by over a minute
- Five individuals received All-DSAC Team honors – Richie Angiullo ‘25, Julian Facciolo ‘23, David Cui ‘24, Camilo Alvarez ‘24, and Owen Parsons ‘26
- Richie Angiullo ’25 & Camilo Alvarez ’24 received All-County Team honors
- JV Team Champions at the Joe O'Neill Invitational and DSAC Championships
- Best County Championship team finish since 2019
- Best State Championship team finish since 2019
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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