Abington Friends School

About the Program: Part of the robust and growing interscholastic running program at AFS, Varsity Girls Cross-Country is a fall sport where participants race 5000 meters (3.1 miles) over rolling and varied natural terrain. Interested runners of all experience and skill levels are eligible to become part of the program, with the top-7 at each race forming the scoring Varsity team and all others representing the Junior Varsity. Individual development and improvement are hallmarks of the program with an experienced coaching staff of former collegiate runners tailoring training plans to maximize each runner’s ability. Since 2008, over 20 AFS runners have placed in the top-20 at the annual Friends Schools League Championship Meet held each October with most earning All-Friends Schools League recognition for their accomplishments. The cross-country season starts with preseason training in late August and concludes at the Pennsylvania Independent Schools State Championship Meet at the end of October.

AFS Varsity Girls Cross-Country Most Recent Season (2022):

• AFS Varsity Girls Cross Country finished 6th at FSL Championship.
• Amara Turner ’23 closed career with 25th place finish at FSL Championship.
• Lost dual meet to Westtown by one point (28-29) in rebuilding season’s closest result.
• Roster filled with members of classes ’24 through ’26 who are expected to return.
• Rob Hewitt completed 4th season as head coach; Jess Neushwander completed her 6th as assistant.

AFS Varsity Girls Cross-Country Program Highlights:

• First AFS runners competed in Friends Schools League championship meet in 1982 as individuals.
• AFS finished 2-2 in the Friends Schools League in 1996 in 1st season of team competition.
• AFS runners have recorded 22 top-20 finishes at FSL champs since 1982 with Mary Ridenour’s 2nd (21:32) as program best and Charly Avril’s (10th, 2019) as most recent.
• Since 2008 AFS featured three 2-time All-Friends Schools League performers: Erica Groomes (2013-14), Nicole Kurtz (2012-13) & Susie Meyer (2009-10).
• Finished with winning record overall (5-4) and 3-4 in Friends Schools League in 2013 for top season.
• Three recent alums have competed intercollegiately in cross-country: Nicole Kurtz (SCAD), Rebecca Fisher (Haverford College), Allison Rubin (William Smith College).