On Nov. 2, State High’s boys cross country team delivered a historic performance at the PIAA Class 3A State Championship in Hershey, PA. The boys team claimed the state title and ended a 38-year championship drought, while the girls team exceeded expectations with a fourth-place finish.
Second-year head coach Rebecca Donaghue, who has spent 20 years with State College’s cross country program, described the group as exceptional.
“They’re one of the hardest working groups I’ve ever worked with in my coaching career,” Donaghue said. “I had a feeling they could do it…but you never know what’s going to happen on that day. They had worked so hard that even if some little thing was off, someone else was going to be there to step up.”
Donaghue, a former professional runner and three-time Olympic Trials qualifier, draws on her own experiences to inspire her athletes.
“I talk to the kids a lot about setbacks and how to overcome them,” Donaghue said. “Running is a lifestyle…you have to put in the work, but if your mindset is right, you can do anything.”
The boys team was led by two brothers, senior Isaac Oppermann and sophomore Theo Oppermann, who placed fourth and fifth overall with times of 15:50 and 15:51 respectively.
Their sibling dynamic helped to inspire both each other and the team.
“I’m grateful for having somebody in my house who’s very fast and also very motivated to run as fast as he can,” Isaac Oppermann said. “He pushes me along.”
The boys’ depth as a team was evident during the championship, as seven runners finished in the top 70. Three more seniors (Owen Coughlin, Stephen Fowler and Griffin Selber), and two sophomores (Luke Bradbury and Kyle Fritzsche) rounded out the lineup.
“This is just a wonderful team,” Theo Oppermann said. “We all work together and spend all of our time together. I think if you really want success, work with a team…it will make things so much more enjoyable.”
While the boys celebrated a historic win, the girls proved their resilience and team spirit by surpassing expectations.
Junior Devon Jackson, who led the team with a 12th-place finish individually and a time of 19:00, was incredibly proud of her team’s performance.
“We weren’t even projected to place in the top 10,” Jackson said. “But we came [in] fourth overall. We did really good.”
The girls team also consisted of senior Devyani Wadhia, juniors Julia Bigger, Lacey Sheaffer and Molly Dell and freshmen Evelyn Younkin and Carolyn Frank, who all placed within the top 100.
Donaghue praised the girls’ camaraderie and determination and highlighted Jackson’s role as a leader in the group.
“They’re all working together really well, and [that bond has] grown stronger as the season goes on,” Donaghue said. “Devon has really kind of spearheaded that.”
Both teams now shift their focus to the Nike Cross Regionals in New York on Nov. 23. The boys are aiming for at least second place in order to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, while the girls aim to build on their momentum and also make a bid for nationals.
With State High’s track season starting up, both boys and girls are riding the momentum of their state performances into the next season—and Donaghue has high hopes.
“This group of kids has all the pieces to the puzzle,” Donaghue said. “They’re heading in the right direction for future success.”
Isaac Oppermann, who recently committed to Penn State to continue running, sees this win as just the beginning. “All I’ve got to say is just watch us in indoor track and outdoor track,” he said. “We’re going to win all three [state titles] this year. Mark my words.”
Correction: Original article said that the championship occurred on Nov. 4 instead of Nov. 2.
