The annual Uniontown Cross Country Invitational is set to take place on March 15, 2024, at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, with strong competition expected as 540 athletes prepare to race. This event, which has become a staple in local athletics, showcases not only the history of the sport at Uniontown Area High School but also the legacy of its influential figures.
The Everhart name is synonymous with athletics at Uniontown, highlighted by the gymnasium named after A.J. Everhart Jr.. While basketball holds a prominent place in the school’s history, Everhart’s commitment to cross country has laid the foundation for many successful runners. Known affectionately as “Abe,” he insisted that basketball players participate in cross country during the fall season. This approach has produced notable athletes, including Joe Thomas, who won state championships in cross country in 1958 and 1959 under Everhart’s guidance.
Thomas’s achievements did not stop there; he also excelled in track and field, winning state championships in the mile in 1959 and 1960. His remarkable time of 4:14.9 at the Mount Lebanon Invitational in 1960 stood as the third-fastest mile in U.S. history at that time. Today, Thomas continues the Everhart legacy as the cross country coach at Albert Gallatin, working closely with Joe Everhart, A.J. Everhart Jr.’s son, to revive the Uniontown Invitational in 1991.
A Tradition of Excellence and Community Involvement
The Uniontown Invitational has been held annually since its inception, with only two exceptions. In 2003, it moved to Fort Necessity National Battlefield due to construction at Penn State Fayette, and the event was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe Everhart reflected on the event’s history, stating, “We weren’t able to hold the event in 2020 because of the pandemic.”
This year’s competition will see the absence of last year’s individual champions, Jake McGhee from Penn-Trafford and Uniontown’s Grace Trimmer, who have both graduated. Despite this, the Lady Red Raiders are poised to defend their team championship title, having won it twice in the last four years. Canon-McMillan, which secured the boys’ title last season, is also expected to be a formidable competitor.
“It will be tough Saturday for our girls to repeat because there are a couple of solid teams that are coming, including Canon-McMillan, who was second in last year’s invitational and didn’t lose any of their runners,” Everhart noted. The anticipation surrounding the event is palpable as athletes prepare for a day filled with competitive racing.
Race Day Schedule and Notable Historical Achievements
The races will commence at 08:30 with the middle school boys, followed by the middle school girls at 09:00. The varsity boys will take to the course at 09:30, with the varsity girls following at 10:00. The junior varsity races will conclude the day, with the boys at 10:45 and girls at 11:15. An awards ceremony is scheduled for noon in the lower gymnasium at Penn State Fayette.
Throughout its history, the invitational has witnessed remarkable athletes. Notably, Julie Friend remains the only three-time champion, winning from 2010 to 2012. The boys’ division has seen Chris Dugan as the only three-time champion, winning from 1994 to 1996. Other prominent winners include Kenny King, who claimed back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004, and Jake West, who set the boys’ course record in 2023 with a time of 16:17.
As this year’s event approaches, anticipation builds amongst the teams. The competitive spirit and community support for cross country at Uniontown continue to thrive, ensuring that the legacy of those like A.J. Everhart Jr. will not be forgotten. The Uniontown Cross Country Invitational is not just a race; it is a celebration of tradition, community, and athletic excellence.
