Whitehall High School cross country runner, Brian Plucinsky, stood in teammate Gabe Lamm's shoes after the District XI Cross Country Championships last week, not knowing whether he had qualified for the PIAA State Meet. Coincidentally, Lamm had also been on the bubble the year before.

At the end of the day, however, Lamm, who placed third, and Plucinsky, who placed 18th, found out that they both would be making the trek to Hershey on Saturday.

"I thought I missed it by one, but I made it by three. I'm excited to go to states and finish my senior year," said Plucinsky, after the announcement was made at the Bethlehem Municipal Field.

Plucinsky finished the district race in 17:28.

"Definitely during the 'S' turns, I took it out a lot faster. As soon as I hit the oak tree, I sprinted full speed and passed about ten kids. I'm just proud of the team and that we had a great race. It was one of my best races senior year. And Gabe did amazingly," Plucinsky said.

Lamm is making his second trip to states, finishing the district race in 16:35.

"I'm just taken away. I wanted to stay with the pack, and I took it out slower. Out of the hills, [Freedom's Ben] Ziegler pulled away, and he kept looking back. I tried to get him. Some kids from Freedom and [Liberty's Alex] Fitch tried to put a surge on me, and I just thought I came too far for this," Lamm said.

Lamm continued to go after Ziegler, under the impression that Ziegler was not expecting to see Lamm right behind him, and that perhaps Ziegler was looking for other Freedom runners. The two opponents finished three seconds apart.

Easton's Colin Abert won the district championship in 15:43.

"After the finish, I was just extremely happy and so excited. I just had to give it everything I got and ended up finishing third," said Lamm.

The Zephyr junior expressed his gratitude to teammates, coaches, and his family after the race.

"Brian Plucinsky is such a great role model, and he helped me so much throughout the year. I ran for him, and my family, and especially my little brother, Robert. JC Falcon and my teammates are like older brothers and kept me motivated, and I can't thank them enough. I couldn't ask for better coaches, Mike Lelko and Mike Fabian. I'm so proud of this season and all of our guys," Lamm said.

Also running for the Zephyrs at districts were Calvin Schneck, Falcon, Elliot Miller, Will Loy, and Andrew Sassaman.

On Whitehall's girls team, senior, Angela Stella, placed 25th in 20:47, first for the Zephyrs.

"I put my heart and soul into it. I went out fast and tried to keep it. I passed some girls before the last turn. I was 33rd and ended up 25th. I just tried to knock them off as best I could. I'm very satisfied with my time. It was my best in leagues and districts. I'm just sad that I won't be here next year because they're my family," Stella said.

Also running for the Lady Zephyrs were Emily Brand, Ashley Brosky, Alexandra Dorner, Hannah Gill, Rhiannon Harwi, and Kelsey Antonchak.