Way Too Early Predictions - Boys' Class A
The race for the top spot in 1A will be close in 2018 with no clear-cut favorite. Jenkintown's Jack Miller is the top returner from the state meet. He took third in 16:28, but ran 15:48 at Paul Short in the fall. Andrew Healey of Holy Cross was fourth, just behind Miller in 16:30. Healey finished ahead of Miller at Foundation, so this could be the dual worth watching for.
Montrose's Liam Mead, Elk County Catholic's Ben Hoffman, and Penns Valley's Colton Sands are among the others that took spots within the top ten at states that will be back in 2018.
The team champs from Penns Valley Area return three freshmen that helped it win the title this fall, but it also loses four seniors from the top seven. State runners-up Elk County Catholic, led by Hoffman, bring three boys back. Montrose (third place in 2017) has five runners coming back, and so does fifth place Jenkintown. Winchester Thurston loses its top two, including individual champ Tristan Forsythe, but the perennial powers return its next five runners.
Prediction
Jack Miller, a senior, edges out junior Andrew Healey in one of the best duels of the state meet for the individual title, while Montrose and Liam Mead take down Elk County Catholic by just five points for the 1A team crown.