Published long before Devon Roberts was born, the short story, “The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner,” is somewhat representative of her current situation on the Whitehall girls track team.

While the circumstances surrounding their desire to run long distances are vastly different, the junior can identify with the loneliness aspect of the sport. During a few meets this year, Roberts was the only runner competing in the distance races for Whitehall. In their meet against Emmaus, she was surrounded by a sea of green, but still managed to finish third in the mile. It was a similar scene in the 3,200 meters, but Roberts responded by finishing second.

In the meet against Bethlehem Catholic last Thursday, she was joined by a couple of teammates in the 3,200. Roberts won the race in decisive fashion, nearly a minute ahead of Hawk Kayla Zigmont as she won in 13:08. 28. She also finished first in the mile, crossing the line in 5:47.97. Her efforts helped the girls defeat the Golden Hawks 96-54. The boys were also victorious, defeating their counterparts 87-63.

Not only is running a solitary exercise, a sport that requires countless hours of preparation, but it’s been magnified by what she’s encountered during a number of meets this season.

Roberts said it’s a different experience running by herself in competition since during practice she’ll pace off her teammates.

“If there’s a teammate faster than me, I’ll try to beat them, or get at their time,” said Roberts. “Now, I just have to pace off the fastest girl, instead of going with a teammate that I’m familiar with.”

Roberts has been a consistent, top-three finisher this season. In the mile against Emmaus, she set the pace, but was eventually caught and passed in the final straightaway. In the 3,200 against the Hawks, she stayed on the leader’s shoulder for most of the race before deciding to make her move on the final lap.

She said that her strategy is similar in both distance races. In the mile, she likes to stick with the fastest runner and then hopefully beat them during the final stretch. Roberts said that she has to remind herself not to get too far ahead of herself and go too early. Otherwise, she’ll run the risk of getting caught.

It’s the same in the 3,200, and it’s proved to be a good formula for her as she’s been turning in consistent times throughout the season. She’s averaged 5:40 in the 1,600 and she’s hopeful she can lower it further.

“I’m trying to go for the record right now because my best time is a 5:30, and the record is 5:27,” said Roberts.

That record belongs to Emily Brand who set it in 2014 with a 5:28.40 mark.

It’s the same for the 3,200 where she’s shooting for another record that belongs to Brand, but setting it will require shaving about nine seconds from her personal best. However, she’s confident she can cut time off each of those eight laps.

Roberts began running cross country in seventh grade, and has been part of the track team since her freshman year. Roberts said that neighbor Hannah Gill ran cross country and she thought she would like to do the same.

“At first it was really difficult, I was just one of those runners who would walk and jog, walk and jog,” said Roberts. “But then I got better at it, and then I realized I could actually do this.”

She saw the positive results in middle school, becoming one of the fastest runners among her peers, and thought it’ something she should stick with.

As a runner, especially a distance runner, Roberts said that it’s important to be relaxed. She also said that it’s important to stay positive with the belief that she’s as good as the competition.

“I just go out there and try to kill it,” said Roberts.

She’s also hopeful to qualify for both the league and district championships.

Also winning for the Zephs was Kate Bonshak in the 100 with a 13:10 mark. She was part of a sweep that saw Rebecca Ganthier and Helen Davis finish second and third, respectively.

Davis won the 200, while Lindsay Solderitch was first in the 400 (1:02.31), and Alyssa Marsteller was first in the 800 at 2:36.56.

Jenna Rohrbaugh was tops in the 100 hurdles at 19.56, while Daisha Hamilton won the 300 hurdles in 52.90.

Also finishing first was Hope Millets in the high jump with a 4-9 mark, while Autumn Dragovits was tops in the javelin with a 98-05.

For the boys, Kresstoph Whittick was a multiple winner, claiming first in the 100 and 200.

Caleb Staub was first in the 800 (2:12.19), while Wilfred Jimenez was first in the 3,200 at 11:13.40.

Tony Rodriguez won the high jump at 5-7.

Allen Negrete was another multiple winner for the boys, taking the long jump in 29-09.75, and the triple jump in 40-10.50.

Once again their throwers swept all three events. Justin Santiago was first in the shot at 38-11, while Izak Bright was tops in the discus with a 126-07 toss, and Lucas Souders won the javelin with a 166-03 mark.