Led by super-sophomore Rock Fortna (3rd, 16:37) in his finest race of the season and a personal best, the Bucks came out of their corner swinging after getting 1-2-5'ed by Quakertown. Sophomore Brian Iatarola (4th, 16:50), junior Ian Davies (6th, 17:03, PR), sophomore Declan McDonald (7th, 17:04, PR), and freshmonster Brian Mass (8th, 17:17, PR) also came through in a big way to close out a 40-second 1-5 spread and sweep the Souderton Indians (15-48).
Souderton's first man followed in a solid 17:20, followed by West juniors Ben Severn (10th, 17:23, PR) and Trevor Belding (11th, 17:26, PR). In an exciting outcome, it was not West's scorers but their displacers that had the final say; West's 6th and 7th men (Severn and T. Belding) displaced both of Quakertown's 4th and 5th men, allowing the Bucks to overcome Quakertown 28-31.
Outpaced by just two Souderton Indians, UNIVEST Scholar-Athlete of the Week senior Ben Aunins was the Bucks' 8th man on the day, claiming 14th overall in a lifetime best of 17:41. Junior Beckett Wilson (17:49, 17th, PR), freshman Teagan Fortna (17:50, 18th, PR), junior Andrew Baker (17:52, 20th, PR), freshmen Ben Smullen (17:53, 21st, PR) and Alec Hofer (17:59, 22nd, PR) made it an outstanding 13 Bucks who posted sub-18 minute performances on Wednesday.
Junior Matt Bahner (18:08, PR) was the 14th Buck in the top 23 runners. Junior Tyler Press (18:32, 26th, PR), sophomore Logan Mazullo (18:34, 28th), freshmen Mark McClenahan (18:47, 31st, PR) and Big Joe Altadonna (18:49, 32nd, PR), juniors Matt Belding (18:53, 34th, PR), Troy Press (35th, 18:54, PR), Pat Kelly (37th, 18:59), and Jacob Cawley (19:07, 40th, PR), sophomores Ryan Walsh (19:12, 41st, PR) and Carter Zerweck (19:18, 42nd, PR) also finished in the top half of the 87 finishers.
Also setting personal bests for the Bucks were sophomores Brody Johnson (19:22), Ryan McIlhinney (19:24), freshman Stephen Bolton (19:39), seniors Gray Wilson (19:51) and Mark Farrell (19:55), freshman Damian Refice (20:10), senior Connor Baun (20:11), junior Matt Young (21:44), sophomore Ryan Hickey (21:54), and freshman Christian Bobowicz (22:03).
Thanks to all families who participated in the "East-West United Homecoming Food Drive" benefiting the New Britain Food Larder. If you missed out, please drop off your donations anytime in the next week to Coach Wetzel or the athletic office.
The Bucks test their antlers on Saturday at the Council Rock North Invitational in Tyler State Park against some of the best in Pennsylvania!