West Greene on the map
SLIPPERY ROCK – West Greene has news for cross country enthusiasts. The Pioneers can run and run fast. At least a pair of them did during the WPIAL championships held at Coopers Lake Campground.
Twin sisters McKenna and Madison Lampe placed ninth and 18th, respectively, during the Class A competition Thursday. Both ran personal-best times of 21:03 and 21:30 and qualified for the PIAA championships Nov. 5 in Hershey.
They are the first state qualifiers from West Greene since Mikayla Sonneborn earned a berth in 2011. It is the first time the Pionneers will send two cross country runners to the PIAA finals.
“It’s kind of cool,” said McKenna, “because nobody really knows about West Greene. So doing something like this gets the word out that we are here.”
“It puts us on the map,” added Madison.
The two were intergral parts of West Greene’s WPIAL championship and PIAA runner-up softball team last season.
When they reach Hershey, the girls are hoping to widen their reach. Both said they want to lower their times and set new personal records. McKenna, however, has the experience. She earned a berth last year.
“So I know what to expect,” she said. “Experience will help. I know the course. I remember the hills and how it starts.”
Despite adverse conditions, wind and mud, the Lampe twins kept their composure during the district championships.
“Believing in themselves and not letting any of the conditions get to them, paved the way for success for the twins,” said West Greene coach Marcia Sonneborn.
“They are all highly motivated, They had goals all season and that was to get to states and they achieved it.”
The sisters have each other to thank for their progress and achievements. They are running partners.
“We push each other a lot,” said Madison.
“As twins, you always have someone to be there with you. Push you to be better,” McKenna said. “Everything is competition.”
At states, Sonneborn expects the Lampe sisters to be all about competition.
“I expect them to continue to improve. Continue to work on their times and have a good race,” she said.