Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actor
Best Performance by a #2 Runner on a Team or Relay
This award is meant to highlight the efforts of a runner who may not be the “star” of a team, but made important contributions towards a school’s achievements during the year, whether that be on relays or in team scoring for track and cross country.

And the nominees are …

Blake Behney, Camp Hill

Camp Hill’s senior leader was the #2 runner on the team’s state championship squad during XC, providing valuable experience as their only returning state medalist. Despite sickness, he captured a second straight medal that provided a valuable low stick for CH. In addition, Behney provided key relay legs in the 4x8 and the DMR for Camp Hill’s excellent performances at Districts, States and Nationals.

Ben Clouse, Sewickley Academy

If not for an injury at states, Ben Clouse would likely be one of the bigger names to come out of this past XC season. Running behind teammate Griffin Mackey, Clouse was a force in cross country and placed highly at invitationals like Foundation and Paul Short. He also added a top finish at the WPIAL championships to help Sewickley surprise for the title for a second straight season. Despite his injury, Clouse still fought all the way to the finish at XC States, doing everything he could to try and help his team win.

Nick Feffer, State College

On most teams, Feffer would be the star. He ran 1:53 in the open 800 to finish 4^th in the state and split a 1:52 leg on SC’s state championship 4x8. However, Feffer was the #2 runner on the loaded Little Lions squad behind Alex Milligan (1:52 low and 4:10 abilities). The Junior provided clutch legs from the #2 position and always performed well when the spotlight was brightest. He consistently PRs at the state championship and even added an XC state medal this year for the first time, finishing as SC’s #1 runner.

Josh Goetz, CB East

Although Jake Brophy has grabbed headlines this year, Goetz has also been a key leader for CB East. He was the team’s #2 runner during cross country and helped East qualify for the state championships after a heartbreaking near miss a year earlier. In track, he really excelled at the 3200m, finishing with a strong PR in the incredibly fast D1 final this past spring. He also showcased incredible range, providing a sub 2 relay split in the trials for CB East’s 4x8 that made it to the state final.

Grayson Hepp, GFS

The senior on a young GFS squad, Hepp was always ready to step up and help the team win. He anchored the indoor 4x800m relay and a ran a 1200 leg on the DMR that received all state (and all American for the DMR) honors. Hepp could run anything from the 4x4 to the 5k and excel making him a valuable runner in any situation for the Tigers.

Brian Iatarola, CB West

Iatarola really developed into one of the best #2 runners in the state during XC and gave CB West a 1-2 punch in the medals at states when he finished a career-best 25^th place. He also ran well under 16 minutes at the district championships. Brian also excelled on the track in both the 32 and the 16 and competed among the best runners in the district at both distances. CB West isn’t a traditional XC powerhouse, but with Iatarola in the #2 spot, the team has placed in the top 6 at states two years in a row.

Ben Littman, Winchester Thurston

Winchester Thurston is quietly one of the best distance programs in the state and helping to lead the charge (also quietly) has been Ben Littman. Although Littman hasn’t gotten the same level of coverage as guys like Will Loevner or Tristan Forsythe, Littman has placed in the medals at each of the last two state championships he has competed in (XC and spring track for the 3200) and is a consistent medal winner within the deep WPIAL. He will be back in a supporting role alongside Forsythe in the fall, hoping to get WT into the top 5 at states for yet another season.

Bryan Keller, CR North

The CRN 4x8 was very strong in 2016, performing well at Penn Relays, Districts and States. Although their fastest split at states came from anchor Ben Heintz, junior Bryan Keller was a game changer in the lead off position. He consistently handed off at or near the front of the pack and had a strong kick at the end of the his races. Keller was also a valuable member of North’s top 5 during XC, could run the 16 and 32 at a high level, and qualified for the state championships individually at 800m.

Phoenix Myers, Seneca

Although his brother ran the key anchor leg for Seneca at states in the 4x8, Phoenix has excelled on the state landscape as well. He was the team’s #2 runner during XC, where Seneca won the District 10 title and placed in the top 5 at states. He also ran a 1:56 lead off leg for Seneca, setting the stage for an impressive 7:50 victory in the 4x800 relay.

Henry Sappey, DT West

DT West’s senior leader has been involved in all the big moments for this team over the past two seasons. He finished 6^th at states in XC and 4^th at District 1 behind two of his teammates, Jaxson and Josh Hoey. He also was the team’s #2 runner at the Regional and National Championships during the fall. On the track, Sappey scored both indoors in the 3k and outdoors in the 1600 for West, providing key points in the team’s quest for more state gold.