Solanco’s John Ausel already had three losses coming into Monday’s five-team meet at Ephrata. But the Mounts’ Tyler Sensenig wasn’t taking any chances when he met up with the favorite to win the league title.

 

Sensenig, who was fifth in the L-L League race a year ago, went out hard from the start Tuesday and closed with a big kick to knock off Ausel, who was third a year ago.

 

The Ephrata senior finished first among all runners with a blistering time of 17:05, besting runner-up Ausel (17:22) by 17 seconds to highlight the day’s events.

 

"It was close," Sensenig recalled Tuesday evening. "I set the pace from the start because I knew if I wanted to beat him I had to take control of it."

 

"We were neck and neck the whole time," he continued. "The last mile he actually passed me. He probably got about 10 yards on me but just going up the last hill I just took off. I had a lot of fan support so it kind of encouraged me to go for it."

 

Sensenig, who has lost just once this season (to E-town’s Michaiah Schlichter), has his eyes on the L-L League title which will be held October 18 in Ephrata.

 

"I really do think I’m ready," Sensenig said. "I think I’m peaking at the right time. It’s really a thrill for anybody to compete in it so I know my chances are as good as anybody else’s. I’ve already run (the league course) three times so I think I’m ready."

 

Sensenig’s win Tuesday helped propel the Ephrata boys to a 4-0 record on the day to improve to 13-6 overall. The Mounts knocked off Solanco (27-28), Cocalico (25-33), Lebanon (17-47) and Columbia (15-55).

 

Individually, in addition to Sensenig, two other EHS runners earned top 10 finishes as Sam Wolde took sixth with a time of 18:11, and Billy Hauser was seventh in 18:16. Tyler Gallagher (11th, 18:53) and Jordan Shrom (14th, 19:08) rounded out the top five for the Mounts.

 

In girls action, Ephrata turned in a strong team day, finishing 3-1 overall. The Lady Mounts earned wins over Cocalico (25-33), Lebanon (15-55) and Columbia (15-55) while dropping a tight 26-30 decision to Solanco.

 

Individually, Ephrata was led by Melynda Beam and Sondra MacNeal, who were fifth and sixth respectively with times of 21:53. Vanessa Hurst also took top 10 honors finishing eighth in a time of 22:16, while Andrea Castillo (11th, 22:52) and Madison Fox (12th, 23:01) closed out Ephrata’s top five.