Pennsylvania XC Week 3 Meets On Tap

Photo by RunningWorksPics

Ben Bloser Bulldog Invitational - Girls' Meet Preview

Much of District 3's best (and some others) will meet at Big Spring High School for the Ben Bloser Bulldog Invitational. Big Spring is the site of the Mid-Penn Conference Championships District 3 Championships, so it provides the only regular chance for teams to see the course in an invitational setting.

The meet is broken up into the A & AA race and the AAA races for each gender. Which race you're in depends on your PIAA classification.

AAA Race

In the AAA race, Cocalico's Jamie Zamrin will look to start off her season on the right foot. The reigning District 3 AAA champ was injured for much of the track season, so we'll see how Zamrin performs back at full health.

The senior will be favored to win, but Dallastown's Emily Schuler, now a sophomore, will look to challenge. She was 16th in the state in AAA last season and seems primed for a similar 2017. JP McCaskey's Lianna Tirado and Isabella Fife have had a strong start to their seasons. Look for those two to be in amongst the lead pack. Elizabethtown's Katie Locker, Central Dauphin's Sydney Myers, and Central Dauphin East's Makenna Krebs should all be near the front, too, in this race.

In the team battle, it's the invite season debut of PA#4 Manheim Township. They were District 3 AAA champs last season and have a lot of returners, led by Leah Sassaman and Kira Jenkins. PA#9 Wilson is also in the field and will look to challenge.

Photo by Don Rich

A & AA Race

The A & AA is arguably more loaded than the AAA race with a number of top girls set to toe the line. Northern's Marlee Starliper (PA#4) is entered and should make some noise. Two weeks ago, she ran to a 2.3 mile course record at Enos Yeager. Starliper was second in the state in AA last fall.

We also have the top two from Class A in the field. Saint Joseph's Catholic's Sera Mazza took the win at Hershey last fall and should be strong in this field. Another one to watch is Pine Grove Area's Christina DiFalco. She won the AA 3200 meter title on the track and took second to Mazza at states last year.

But those two aren't the only top runners in the field. Eastern York's Maddie McLain was sixth in the state in AA last XC season. She's a talented veteran capable of taking the win on Saturday. A number of other girls should get in the mix.

In the team race, it will be a good battle between Northern York (AA) and Saint Joseph's Catholic (A) in what should be a good battle between cross-classification squads.