No team was more hopeful and surprised than the Whitehall Zephyrs when the announcement was made that sophomore cross country runner, Gabe Lamm, won the last spot to the PIAA State Cross Country meet after qualifying at the District XI meet on Oct. 24 at Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course.

As the Zephyrs erupted in cheers for Lamm, his teammates surrounded him with hugs and pats on the back.

Prior to the announcement, Lamm knew it could go either way, having finished in 15th place in 17:31.

"I came out today, and I wanted to beat 15th or at least stay in 15th to qualify for states. Today, I tried to keep motivated and keep my composure," Lamm said.

Lamm had a decent start, running with teammate, Brian Plucinksy, who took 33rd place in 18:00.

"We said to each other that if one of us starts getting cut off, make sure to take the other one with you. He had a better start, so I came up with him; then, I got ahead, and he came up with me. At the end, we said we would just go for it, so we did," said Lamm.

Lamm improved on his time by 13 seconds from the LVC meet, in which he also placed 15th.

"I liked last week's weather better, but I feel good. I feel like a lot of people were supporting me today," he said.

In the girls' race, Whitehall junior, Angela Stella, was the first finisher for the Zephyrs, placing 31st in 21:41.

"I wish I would have done a little better. I've been battling an injury all season, so I'll be happy to take a month off. My doctor didn't think I would make it through the season, but I chose to go as far as I could, so I'm proud I got through it," Stella said.

Stella attempted to improve on her performance at the LVC meet, which took place on the same course.

"In the last mile, going into the finish, you feel like it's never going to stop, but I can always reach down inside me to get through the finish," she said.

Teammate, Emily Brand was second for the Zephyrs, 33rd overall, and Christine Metrick was third for the Zephyrs, 35th overall.

Lamm will compete at the state meet on Nov. 3 in Hershey, Pa.