Pennsylvania XC Week 6 Meets On Tap


Ridgway Invitational - Meet Preview

On Saturday at Ridgway, many of the top District 9 teams will get a sneak peak at the district course. A smattering of District 6 and District 10 teams will join them for what should be a telling meet.

GIRLS PREVIEW

Fresh off a strong performance at the Carlisle Invitational, the girls from Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy are back at it this weekend at Ridgway to clash with some strong (primarily District 9) teams. Sera Mazza, along with Julia Cusatis and Maggie Urban, are clicking at the right time after beating 1A rival Vincentian Academy at Carlisle.

Mazza will be one of the favorites for the individual title, while Cusatis and Urban will be in the mix for top five finishes.

Looking to challenge Mazza is Amanda Foster of Saint Marys Area. The senior took home wins at McDowell and Bradford, and recently took third at the Northeast Invitational last weekend. She'll be hungry for win No. 3 on the season at the course where she'll look to capture the D9 title later this month.

Elk County Catholic's Chelsea Hunt, Karn City's Rebecca Pennington, and Northern Potter's Danielle Perry will all battle it out for high finishes on Saturday, as well, in a strong field.

Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy, the top-ranked 1A team in the state will be favored to take the team title, but Saint Marys Area should give them a good run. Northern Potter is a strong team that should contend, too. Watch out for DuBois and Bradford, as well.


BOYS PREVIEW

The Elk County Catholic boys have been off to a great start this season, and as we head into October, they'll look to continue that at Ridgway. Ben Hoffman won at Bradford earlier this season and was the team's top finisher at McQuaid last weekend. 

Hoffman's best challenge to the win on Saturday will come from Smethport Area's Darion Gregory and Bradford Area's Logan Caruso, who took second and third behind Hoffman at Bradford earlier this season. We're anticipating a close one between these three up front.

Other individuals that should mix it up with those leaders include ECC's Isaac Wortman, SJCA's Carter Kauffmann, and Punxsutawney Area's Owen Bartlebaugh.

Elk County Catholic will be favored to take the win. Bradford, which ECC beat by 20 at Bradford's home invite a few weeks ago will look to close the gap. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy, Mercyhurst Preparatory, and Smethport Area will fight it out for spots in the top five.