The Parkland boys cross country team concluded a fine 2018 campaign at the 2018 PIAA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 3 in Hershey.

The Trojans finished 14th out of 19 teams with 366 points and an average time of 17 minutes and 56 seconds.

“They were a little off but came out it OK,” said coach Loretta Dodson. “In a big race like this you need to get out quick and set your pace. It’s important in a race like that to stay focused and you can’t get frustrated.”

The superlative high school career of senior Nicholas Bower ended with another strong race. He paced Parkland and finished 36th out of 228 participants with a time of 17 minutes and six seconds. His coach praised him for being a self-starter.

“He set goals for himself and followed through on them,” said Dodson. “I never had to keep after him.”

Next year’s likely leader, junior Nathan Reimer, finished second for the team and 140th in the race with a time of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Senior Matthew Santacoloma was just one second behind Reimer, claiming 164th place at 17 minutes and 59 seconds. Another senior, Riley Williamson, took 88th place, with a time of 18 minutes and nine seconds. Williamson has battled through health issue at times this season.

“He does what he can,” the coach said.

Benjamin Esquieres, Ethan Warren, and Matthew Zager rounded out the Trojan team. Esquieres, a sophomore, finished 185th in the field, with a time of 18 minutes and 25 seconds. Warren, a junior, claimed 198th place at 18 minutes and 35 seconds, while Zager, a senior, was just one second behind for 201st place at 18 minutes and 36 seconds.

The experience of participating against the best runners in Pennsylvania and on the state’s biggest stage should pay dividends next season for the returning Trojans.

“It helps because you’re use to being in a big race,” Dodson said.