PTXC 9 - Girls' Gold Race Preview
- Virtual Meet
- 2016 Individual Champion: Jess Lawson (Corning) - 18:30
- 2016 Team Champion: Corning (73 points)
There's no clear-cut favorite in the girls' Gold Race, but there's no shortage of talented entries in the field and should make for one of the season's best invitational races.
The top returner from last year's race is Souderton's Emily Bonaventure. The senior and PA#25 was fourth at Kutztown last year and looks to improve upon that finish this year. Chambersburg's Abby Yourkavitch had an early season injury and missed PTXC8, but she'll be in the lineup Saturday and will be among the favorites.
But wait! There are more. The highest ranked girl in the field is Christina DiFalco of Pine Grove Area. The junior, who was second in 1A at states last year and won the AA 3,200 meter state crown in the spring, will make her season debut. She'd love to start her season off with a win. Hershey's Andrea Demko (PA#22), Sacred Heart's Emma Seifried (PA Bubble), and Holy Cross's Lexi Walsh (PA Bubble) should also mix it up inside the top five.
Loudoun Valley's Natalie Morris was sixth in this race last year and took second at the VA state meet last year. She's back for more. Elizabethtown's Katie Locker won the Blue Race last season, but she'll bump up to the Gold Race this year and should factor in, coming off a big freshman season. Greater Latrobe's Maria Cawoski is another one to watch for in the race.
The favorites in the team race are PA#3 Perkiomen Valley. The Vikings were second to Corning (NY) last year, and though it loses Annie Glodek, PV will turn to Teagan Schein-Becker and Julia Dorley up front. Spring Ford will look to make a statement, though. Led by Emily Smith and Gabriella Bamford, the Rams will be in the mix.
They could all be chasing Loudoun Valley, the Virginia squad, which boasts some great depth. Among the other teams that will threaten the top five are Council Rock South (winners at Northampton last week), Central Bucks West, Greater Latrobe, Strath Haven, and Chambersburg.
2016 Race Video: