Highlands, St. Joe’s cross country co-op a ‘win-win’
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Highlands sophomore Lillie Ryan is excited to have friends to run with on the high school’s cross country team this fall.
The lone runner for the district, Ryan would have to forgo the sport if it weren’t for a co-op with neighboring St. Joseph High School.
“I’m happy about it,” said Ryan, 15. “I’ve never been much of a runner, but I want to build up for basketball, so I’m glad we have a team.”
Three runners from St. Joe’s joined the team, which was on hiatus at Highlands last year after the coaches retired and there was a lack of interest among students.
Enter the co-op, which makes it easier for small districts to fill rosters when they might not have enough athletes to field a team alone.
It’s more about building community than it is competition, Highlands Athletic Director Katie Jo Stobert said.
“It allows us to work toward our goal of bringing together home, school and community,” Stobert said. “Highlands believes that athletics play a crucial role in fulfilling our district’s mission by providing opportunities for student-athletes to benefit from our facilities, training and goal-oriented approach.”
Coach Rich Bogaty was drawn out of retirement, at least for one year, to try to relaunch the program. After not fielding a team last year, Bogaty said the girls can unofficially participate in WPIAL Division 2, Section 4 while the district works to get back into the section. His team also will run in several invitationals, including a Sept. 13 event at Northmoreland Park.
“Cross country is a tough sell,” said Bogaty, of Plum.
The retired teacher from Pittsburgh Public Schools was a longtime coach at the former Peabody High School in East Liberty. He was a standout runner at Plum High School and Edinboro University, where he was part of a national championship team.
“It’s hard work,” Bogaty said. “But we’re trying to give these kids a chance to come out and build a program.
“It’s great for both schools and it makes sense.”
St. Joe’s athletic director, Sally Ackerman, said her school had one interested runner last year, a freshman, who ran individually at WPIAL events.
With more students expressing interest this year, Ackerman reached out to Highlands.
The two schools already co-op swimming and diving.
“The beauty is that it allows both sets of students to become part of a team if the schools are short on numbers,” Ackerman said.
Sport co-ops in the Alle-Kiski Valley have grown in popularity in recent years, with Springdale and Riverview putting their football rivalry aside to join forces in three sports — wrestling, softball and golf.
Kiski Area has joined with Burrell for swimming for the 2024-25 season.
In each case, the school boards determine the costs to be paid by both partners.
“For track, it’s great because not everyone has a nice track and can keep it up,” Ackerman said. “Not everyone has an extra field where you can do javelin.”
Highlands earlier this year approved a $1.3 million project to redo its track and tennis courts along California Avenue.
Stobert said co-ops make sense because they enable students from both schools to train and learn from each other outside the classroom and foster diverse interactions.
“It’s a win-win,” Ackerman said. “It’s easier for training because you push yourself harder when you’re in a group.”
Jocelyn Spinelli, 15, a sophomore at St. Joe’s, was the lone runner for her high school last year.
“I really wanted to be part of a team,” she said. “Hopefully, this will get more people to join.”
Bella Bartolovic, a freshman at St. Joe’s, said the runs have been fun so far.
“This co-op has got me pretty hyped,” she said.