FRONTRUNNER: Hun School cross country runner Charlotte Bednar displays her form in a recent race. Last Friday, freshman Bednar placed first in the girls’ varsity race at the Mercer County championship meet. Bednar will look for another title as she competes in the state Prep A meet on October 24 at the Blair Academy.

By Bill Alden

Watching the Hun School cross country team train, there is often a tiny blonde girl running at the head of the pack along with the boys.

Possessing a light, bouncy stride, freshman Charlotte Bednar can hold her own with any runner in the program.

Last Friday, Bednar shot to the front of the pack at the girls’ varsity race at the Mercer County championship meet at Washington Crossing Park and never looked back on the way to taking first.

Coming into the meet, Bednar wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “I didn’t have a plan or anything, I just wanted to run; I had never run this course before,” said Bednar, who clocked a time of 18:20 over the 5,000-meter course, 40 seconds better than runner-up Siena Moran of Princeton High. “I wanted to go out a little slower so I would have more energy left.”

As the race unfolded, Bednar realized that she had more than enough energy to beat her competition.

“I felt like I had to get in front right away so I tried to stay with her (Moran) and I kept going as hard as I could,” said Bednar. “In the middle of the woods, I had some more energy. I knew I could keep a pace that was a little faster so I sped up a little bit and just kept that pace.”

For Bednar, winning the title was a pleasant surprise. “I am really excited because I didn’t know what the competition was going to be like,” said Bednar, who started running in seventh grade and also plays basketball and lacrosse.

Hun head coach Stacy Collingham marvels at Bednar’s competitive mentality and talent.

“She is just goes out and attacks every race; she continues to break course records,” said Collingham. “She is consistent in her drive. She starts off strong and she just keeps going, she doesn’t let up.”

Training with the Hun boys on a daily basis has helped speed up Bednar’s progress.

“She has been running with our boys,” said Collingham. “We have no girls on our team that are even close; our boys are what is helping her to improve and get better.”

With the state Prep A championship race set for October 24 at Blair Academy, Bednar is looking to continue her rapid rise. “I want to win and get the best time that I can,” said Bednar.