Photo by Steven Pisano
Manhattan Invitational - Girls' Meet Preview
Last fall, North Penn's Ariana Gardizy rolled to the win in the Varsity C race at Manhattan. The senior and UPenn commit ran 15:13 for the win last year. This year, she enters Saturday having won three straight invitational (Council Rock, Six Flags, and Salesianum), but she'll have a much tougher time earning the win this year.
That's because Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland (NY) is in the field. Tuohy went 14:12 to win the Eastern States race last year, but she is dropping down in race this season. MileSplit NY takes a closer look at why Tuohy may have opted for the Varsity C race, rather than going for the win in the Eastern States race. Regardless, Tuohy will be the heavy favorite. She sits a US#1 in the MileSplit Flo50 rankings.
Still, Gardizy will look to challenge, and, if nothing else, will get a good test in before the postseason starts. Maeve Gimbert and Olivia Dyer will also be among the Lady Knights in the field. Dyer was second to Gardizy in the Varsity C race last year. Boyertown and St. Hubert's are also entered in the Varsity C race.
Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy is the top PA team entered in the Eastern States race. Led by the reigning 1A state champ Sera Mazza, SJCA hasn't backed down from a challenge this season and they'll face some of the best of the best on Saturday. Bishop Shanahan is also entered here.
In the Varsity A race, we'll see West Chester Henderson, a talented squad that will be looking to qualify for states out of District 1. The Warriors are led by Courtney Alexander, but if could add another Courtney---Courtney Kitchen---Henderson could make some serious noise this weekend. Reading and Girls' High are also entered in the Varsity A race.
South Western (Varsity E) and Taylor Allderdice (Varsity B) are also entered in the meet for Saturday.