Though small in numbers Canton runners found success this year, with three eventually qualifying for the PIAA Championships.

"I thought the team ran really well this year overall," said Canton coach Casey Aylesworth. "We had a good mix of veterans and some newcomers. People are always concerned about personal bests, but you have different courses, weather, competitors as variables in that equation. I believe everyone continued to improve throughout the season, and maybe it wasn't a personal best in every race, but they ran more consistent as the season progressed, and it showed. Landon Lake will graduate as two-time individual state qualifier; Manuel Halbfoerester qualified individually to states for the first time and put himself in a position to battle against a lot of the other top NTL guys throughout the season. Elizabeth Halbfoerster qualified for states as a freshman, and just kept getting stronger, and more consistent as the season progressed."

The Canton boys 3-7 overall on the year during the dual meet season.

Manuel (ninth) had a top 10 finish at the NTL Coaches' Invitational, while at districts Manuel was fourth overall, with Lake taking seventh to punch his ticket to states.

In the girls district race Elizabeth was 19th overall to nab the final state qualifying spot.

At states Manuel took 75th, Lake was 117th, and Elizabeth was 181st.

Rounding out the team for the boys was Kobi Hoover, Tommy Preston, Levi Vermilya, Ryan Inman, and Link Vermilya.

On the girls side fellow freshman Sarina Hess ran with Elizabeth.

"It's always tough to lose seniors like Landon Lake, as he's been with the program for so long, and as coaches we take it for granted sometimes, because it's the leadership and expectations that he passes on to other kids, because he knows what it takes to get better and really benefit from this sport," said Aylesworth. "Manuel and Elizabeth will have to step up next year to fill those roles, because they see what it takes to get to the state meet, and the level of competition there. I appreciate the other seniors Tommy Preston, and Levi Vermilya who were part-time runners and full-time golfers. They helped the team out whenever they could."