Class A Girls Preview | Class A Boys Preview
Class AA Girls Preview | Class AA Boys Preview
Class AAA Girls Preview | Class AAA Boys Preview
By Lex Mercado
Boys - Teams
Defending champions Pottsgrove overcame some tough odds to have the chance to return to the state championship meet and defend their title. District rivals Holy Ghost Prep moved to AA this season after qualifying for states in AAA two years ago, but the Pottsgrove squad used their incredible team running strategy to repeat as champions. The team is led by 3 seniors from that state title team and anyone who can match their sub 40 second 1-5 spread will have a chance to prevent Pottsgrove from repeating as champions.
Scranton Prep and Tunkhannock will be chasing the champions after spending most of the season chasing each other in District 2. Tunkhannock defeated Scranton Prep by a narrow 8 points at last week's district championships. Tunkhannock have four seniors on their squad and have a top five that can stay within 50 seconds of one another. Scranton Prep have only one senior, but six juniors who can run within 30 seconds of one another on any given day. District 2 has had a lot of success at the state level in recent years and will look to bring the title back to the district.
In the Western side of PA, South Fayette brings a senior-heavy squad that have had a solid 2013 season. The District 7 champions defeated Uniontown and 2011 state champions Quaker Valley to earn a state berth and have also earned a top five finish at the Red White and Blue Invitational. They also carry a sub 60 second pack and their big meet performances will prepare them for this stage.
Last season's runner up Grove City are back with a large majority of the squad who tasted that narrow defeat last year to Pottsgrove at states. This squad is front heavy with Aaron Benka leading the way. The junior is a contender for a top fifteen position which means low points in the title race. They won districts by nearly 60 points against the field.
Boys - Individuals
Dominic Deluca of Dallas has had the best performance in the division since the 2nd week of the season when he ran 15:43 to win the PTXC 5 Invitational. In three of his four invitational and championship meet appearances, the senior has dipped under the 16 minute mark, more than any other runner in the division, including league and district titles. Deluca is also the top returner from last year's state meet (11th). William Kachman of Bedford has four invitational wins from four races and has a lifetime best of 15:49 from mid September and a District 6 title. Dominic Hockenbury of Lake Lehman is just a sophomore, but has three invitational wins, including a win at the Foundation Invitational. He has a season best of 15:54 this season. Christian Kardish of Holy Ghost Prep has had success in the AAA division and will look to mix it up with AA's best for a top place. He has five top ten finishes in 2013.
District Champs
I. 1 Daniel Connell, Sr 16:22 5:17 Holy Ghost Preparatory
II. 1 Dominic Deluca, Sr 15:53 Dallas
III. 1 Daniel Green, Jr 7:51 16:23 5:17 James Buchanan
IV. 1 Simon Smith, Jr 16:50 5:26 Towanda
V. Competed in District 6
VI. 1 61 William Kachman Bedford 16:18.6
VII. 1 Nate Edenfield, Sr 5:29 10:35 16:44 5:24 Uniontown Area
VIII. No AA Teams
IX. 1 Dinger, Bo 11 Punxsutawney Area 17:28.70
X. 1 Aaron Benka, Jr 2:28 4:58 10:27 16:23 5:17 Grove City
XI. 1 Kyle Gonoude, Jr 16:52 5:26 Salisbury
XII. 1 Ortiz, Kyle 10 Archbishop Wood 17:16.18
Returning Medalists
992 11 Dominic Deluca, Jr 5:00 10:20 16:44 5:24 Dallas (2)
1179 16 Kyle Gonoude, So 5:01 10:32 16:52 5:26 Salisbury (11)
1130 18 5 Aaron Benka, So 10:26 16:53 5:27 Grove City (10)
1116 19 6 Bo Dinger, So 5:01 10:36 16:53 5:27 Punxsutawney (9)
999 22 Dominic Hockenbury, Fr 4:57 10:28 16:56 5:28 Lake-Lehman (2)
1076 24 Christian Hopple, Jr 10:29 16:58 5:28 St. Joseph's Catholic
1037 25 Kyle Shinn, So 10:39 17:00 5:29 Wyomissing Area (3)
Class A Girls Preview | Class A Boys Preview
Class AA Girls Preview | Class AA Boys Preview
Class AAA Girls Preview | Class AAA Boys Preview