Summer training may be over, but the season is just about to start. With new spikes on their feet, the North Allegheny cross-country team is ready to hit the ground running.  

The Tigers had a very successful 2024-2025 season under Head Coach John Neff. With some of the state’s top runners, the girls’ team won the WPIAL championship and placed third at the state championship. The boys placed second and tenth, respectively. 

Junior runner Abby Gordish still feels inspired by last year’s team.

“Last season was definitely a special one for the girls. Four of our seniors ran at WPIALs and States. These girls really transformed the team into a family,” Gordish said.

This season, the team comprises nearly 150 athletes who will participate in up to 14 meets. These races encompass 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of terrain that includes hills, grass, mud, and dirt. 

Neff certainly has high expectations for his team.

“Like always, we will work to have every runner reach their potential,” he said. “We will get as good as we can, and then we will see where that puts us.”

However, potential challenges loom.

“We are a young team, and so we will have many runners learning as they go through the season,” Neff explained.  “That said, our saving grace will be the outstanding leadership our seniors and old heads are giving to our young kids.”

The members of the team echoed their coach’s thoughts on the upcoming season.

“Something I would like to see the team accomplish is winning WPIALs. After getting second last year, the whole team has their eyes set on gold this season,” junior James Kelly answered.

The team’s top runner, senior Andrew Peigh, is excited to race this year.

“Personally, I hope to build off my strong performance at WPIALs from last year and compete for a top spot at the state meet,” Peigh said.

The team does have to keep its goals in mind as the season starts.

“More importantly, our team is continuing to progress into something special, and I am more confident we can be and are the best team in the surrounding area,” Peigh stated.

Indeed, the season looks promising after a strong finish in their pre-season meet. This meet, the HOKA Kickoff Classic Showcase in Painesville, OH, took place on August 23rd. The girls placed sixth at the invite, while the boys came in eighth. 

The Tigers also participated in the Mingo Scrimmage on August 27th. The boys took the victory, and the girls placed second behind Mt. Lebanon.

While every race is important, the Tigers will definitely have their sights set on the following meets this season: the Red, White, and Blue Invitational; Boardman Invitational; and the PIAA Foundation Meet. Of course, the WPIAL championship on October 23rd (location to be determined) and the PIAA championship on November 11th in Hershey, PA loom large on the calendar as well.

The Tigers’ next race is this afternoon versus Peters Township at Peterswood Park. With a promising start, the future looks bright for the team.