The Fighting Highlanders boys cross country squad still had hopes of a section title as the entered their dual meet with South Park and Mt. Lebanon at Baldwin High School last Tuesday, Oct. 9.
It wasn't to be, however, as the Highlanders split the three-team meet, besting South Park but coming up short against Mt. Lebanon. The Blue Devils displayed the form that has positioned them as a favorite in next week's WPIAL championship meet.
Baldwin's women's team followed suit and earned a split, as well, by beating South Park but finishing behind Mt. Lebanon.
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Thursday brought better results for the Baldwin runners at the Mingo Classic in Washington County. The Highlanders entered four teams in the invitational as the boys and girls varsity and junior varsity squads took to the trails.
The Highlanders girls varsity team took fourth place and landed three runners in the top 20.
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The junior varsity girls came in a respectable sixth place with two runners in the top 20.
The boys varsity squad placed third in a very close race that saw 17 points separate the top three teams. Three varsity Baldwin boys finished among the top 20.
The performance of the day was turned in by the boys junior varsity squad, though. The team's dominating dash around Mingo Park finished with all five scoring runners in the top 15 of the race and a team championship. Congratulations to the JV squad!
Mingo Classic officials award shirts to all members of winning teams and to individuals placing in the top 20 of their races. Needless to say, there was a noticeable amount of extra laundry in Baldwin-Whitehall on Tuesday evening.
Next up for the Fighting Highlanders is the Tri-State Coaches Association cross country championships on Thursday, Oct. 18, followed by the WPIAL championships on Thursday, Oct. 25. Both meets take place at the Cooper's Lake Campground near Slippery Rock Borough.
Sandwiched in there is a junior varsity tri-state meet on Monday, Oct. 22, at Schenley Park.
The author is a Baldwin Borough resident and Baldwin High School cross country supporter.
