Garns will take to state stage

Greencastle-Antrim freshman Nikki Garns will get to finish her inaugural high school cross country campaign at the highest level in Pennsylvania — the PIAA State Championships Saturday, Nov. 6.

Garns punched her ticket with a top-10 finish in the District 3-AAA Championships last week in Hershey. The freshman stayed with a fast pace from her peers and clipped the tape in 10th place in 19:40. The winner finished in 19:02 among the 333 competitors. As a district medalist and top-10 finisher, Garns secured the state berth.

Teammate Lauren Powers nearly pulled off a berth of her own. Her 43rd place finish in 20:48 was just four places off the state-qualifying pace. G-A finished 22nd as a team. Other finishers were as follows: 144. Mary Ward, 22:14; 195. Caitlyn Hetrick, 22:51; 307. Melissa Holmes, 24:43; 313. Desirae Shaffer, 25:07; 315. Gretchen Westley, 25:12.

G-A’s boys’ team was 47th in a 374-runner field, with finishes as follows: 128. Brandon Thrush, 18:23; 142. Brandon Garlitz, 19:28; 248. Daulton Monn, 19:22; 321. Zach Husband, 20:02; 328; Gabe Martin, 20:06; 344. Mike Hohl, 20:22; 364. Cody Carbaugh, 21:04.

Garns will compete Saturday on the same Parkview Course in Hershey.