Photo by Howard Anderson
Team Preview
Four PA girls teams will toe the line at Bowdoin Park on Saturday.
The top team, and the team with the best shot at qualifying through to nationals, is Cardinal O'Hara. O'Hara claimed the PIAA State Championship in Class-AAA in early November, scoring 108 points. They'll be a threat for the top two at NXN Northeast. In MileSplit NY's speed ratings, O'Hara comes in as a the fourth best team in the field.
They'll have to deal with New Jersey's Ridge (NJ MOC champs), Vermont's Champlain Valley (New England champs), and Massachusetts's Milton (MIAA All State Division 2 champs), but on a good day, O'Hara good steal a top two spot. Olivia Arizin will lead the way and provide a low stick, but the key is the two through five. Liz Mancini ran great at states and they'll need a similar effort on Saturday. Then Christine and Eleanor Mancini and Sara Hayes can't be too far behind.
Oakland Catholic will make the trip up to New York on Saturday. But the state runner-ups will be without top girl Lauren Finikiotis, who was not on the list of entries for Saturday. That is a major hit, but Hannah Schupansky and Megan Nagy have proven to be strong runners that can step up.
Photo by Don Rich
State College has had a big season and the Little Lions will look to keep it rolling into Saturday. The Mid-Penn and District 6 champs took fifth at states in AAA. They are led by Gabbi Bock and have a sub-one minute 1-5 spread that will be key.
Class-A state champs Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy are also in the field. Individual Class-A champ Sera Mazza will lead the way for a SJCA that has gotten better every step of the way this season.