Strawser Brings Back District Cross Country Championship Title to Juniata and will be Heading to States

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: October 30, 2021

Courtesy of Shari Miller

After Juniata’s Garrett Baublitz won four straight District 6 Champsionship titles from 2016 – 2019, Juniata was unable to repeat the title in 2020 or have a runner qualify for the state meet. Junior Logan Strawser was able to return the crown to Juniata with his win at the 2021 District 6 Cross Country Championships held in Reedsville on Saturday, October 30. Logan made a big move around 2.3 miles into the 3.1 mile race to develop a gap on Centrals Cambria’s Aiden Lechleitner. By the finish, he extended the gap to 0:22, winning the race in 16:42.1. His time was the fastest on the day in all divisions A, AA, and AAA. Freshman Joey Bomberger medaled in 9th place in a time of 17:47.7 with a personal best. Freshman Wyatt Stroup also medaled with his 10th place finish in a time of 18:05.7. Senior Micah Fausey finished in 25th with a time of 19:45.7. Freshman Charlie Telfer rounded out the Indians scoring with a personal best finishing 44th place with a time of 22:42.5. Senior Noah Sheaffer placed 49th with a time of 25:31.6. Juniata Cross Country coach Jeff Miller said “The boys all ran very hard today. I was so happy for Logan to win the race. He had some ups and downs throughout the season and this was a huge confidence booster to see him pull out a big win in his first year of cross country. Logan executed the race to perfection. We talked about him making a big move late in the race and he did that exactly where we planned. We knew his competition would come from Central Cambria’s Aiden Lechleitner and we didn’t want the race to come down to a kick with his great leg speed. Logan had no choice, but make it a gut race if he wanted to win a District title. Freshman Joey Bomberger and Wyatt Stroup almost qualified for states. They both were placed right around the final state qualifying spot for most of the race. Joey just got passed in the last 400 to miss a state spot by one place. Joey and Wyatt were the top freshman finishers in the boys AA race. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with them over the next three years. Charlie Telfer is another freshman who has come a long way and will do big things over the next couple years.” The Juniata boys placed 3rd in the team competition.

On the girls side, Senior Emily Houtz led the Indians with her 25th place finish in a time of 24:50.9. Sophomore Haley Mummah finished shortly after in 28th place in a time of 25:13.2. Freshman Jessie Bomberger placed 41st in a time of 26:56.5. Sophomore Elizabeth Gaisior placed 48th in a time of 28:08.0. Sophomore Peyton Sheaffer placed 52nd in a time of 29:28.5. Senior Joceline Telfer placed 56th in a time of 36:00.0. Juniata Cross Country coach Jeff Miller said “The girls all ran very tough today in very muddy conditions. Emily ran tough up front in her last high school race. It was nice to have Haley and Jessie participate in their first District Cross Country Championships since they both participate in soccer. I though Elizabeth, Peyton, Joceline all put in some great efforts. Course conditions nearly made it impossible for personal best. Joceline shaved 3:00 off of her time from out meet against Mifflin County last week.” The girls finished 7th in the team competition.

Logan Strawser will compete at the PIAA State Cross Country Championships in Hershey on Saturday, November 6.