It's just a matter of chance that recent Pequea Valley graduates Jonah Zink and Aubrey Ressler are both headed to Kutztown University.

Both chose the school for completely different reasons but will continue to run together on the Golden Bears' cross-country and track teams at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) NCAA Division II school.

Zink, who plans to study education, also toured PSAC schools like Millersville and West Chester, but he fell in love with Kutztown's small-town, very Pequea Valley-like feel.

"I'm not much of a city person, and Millersville and West Chester very much fit that description," Zink said. "Kutztown is very by the farmland; it's very open. It's a block on either side of Main Street, and then it's farmland from there. I really do appreciate that."

Ressler, on the other hand, knew she wanted to study something involving sports. She initially thought that sports medicine might be right for her, but she decided that sports management is a better path.

"I'm super excited for it," she said about Kutztown. "I visited a couple places my senior year, and Kutztown just felt like the right fit."

Ressler made her decision in the winter, which led Zink to look into a school that he had initially overlooked.

"I was like, 'What's Aubrey seeing that I haven't looked into yet?'" he said. "I'm definitely excited to have someone to grow connections with already going in there."

Zink said that he is not sure what subject he wants to teach yet but that he will likely settle on science or math. Ressler is also open to some different possibilities with her prospective sports management degree but is initially thinking about becoming an athletic director.

Unlike most schools in the area, Pequea Valley does not have a school-sponsored track and field team. The Braves have gone through different cycles in recent years, including a track co-op with Lancaster Mennonite for a few years, but elected to operate as an independent team this year.

Operating as an independent team allows Pequea Valley's athletes to compete in Lancaster-Lebanon League, PIAA District III and PIAA State Championships, but the students lack the recognition or funding of varsity athletes.

The team was sponsored by Rittenhouse Builders, E&E Commercial Contractors, Kauffman Kitchens, Walter & Jackson Lumber and the Little Braves Running Club this season. The team practiced at Lancaster Mennonite a few days a week and was gifted some equipment from both Manheim Township and Coatesville.

Both runners have been trailblazers for what they hope is a school-sponsored program in the near future. Both would love to see the school add a track on its campus but acknowledged the lack of room for a traditional setup around the football field.

Zink highlighted how the school's cross-country program was only started five years ago and has already won a District 3 championship.

"I think we've definitely laid the groundwork," Zink said. "Coach (Keith) Andrew already brought the girls to be district champions, so what he could do with a track team is immeasurable."

Zink, who also participates in school choir and band, started running in his sophomore year after recovering from a stroke he suffered in eighth grade. This spring, he placed third in the Class 2A 800-meter run (1:55.18) at the state meet at Shippensburg in May, 12 spots higher than he was seeded. It was his first state medal in his final attempt.

Ressler placed 16th at the District 3 Class 2A cross-country meet last fall. Both gave a shoutout to rising Pequea Valley sophomore Reagan Gates, who won the district 2A meet in cross-country before placing seventh at the PIAA event. She also medaled in the 1600m and 3200m run at the PIAA track meet.

"She's doing incredible stuff," Zink said. "I think she's going to have more heads turning towards the program, and she's going to be the face of it going forward. She will show what this program can be."