Girls' Blue (AA) Race Preview - PIAA Foundation Invitational
Race Time: 9:45 A.M.
Saturday will mark the season debut of Marlee Starliper in the Blue Race. The Northern junior and PA#1 was slated to open up at PTXC 10 two weeks ago, but fell ill the day before the race.
Surely, Starliper is looking forward to open up her season. First up, she'll get the Hershey hills, where she won her first state title the last time she was there. Last year, she solo'd a 17:50 to win the state title, and she could be looking to top that time out of the gates on Saturday morning.
While Starliper is making her season debut, Saturday will mark the fourth race of the season for Sharon's Gianna Labbiento (PA#4). The sophomore has been on a tear to open up the XC season, winning three race in three weeks. Most recently, she dusted D2 field at Boardman in Ohio. She'll face a stiff challenge in Starliper, but Labbiento has those race legs under her already.
The team race will be interesting. Making its season invite debut are the defending AA champions from Danville Area. This squad has a number of returners, led by a strong trio of Elaina Klinger, Emma Mikita, and Marisa Maffei, and will look to win again in Hershey. Northern ran well sans Starliper at PTXC 10 and should contend for the top spot as well. Scranton Preparatory, Villa Maria Academy, General McLane, Northwestern Lehigh, Greensburg Salem, and North Shore (NY) are among the other teams aiming to place high inside the top five.
Among the other individuals to keep an eye on Saturday are Cori McCormick of North Schuylkill (PA#25), Crestwood's Molly DeMarzo, Scranton Prep's Mia Bellucci, Eastern York's Olivia McLain, General McLane's Devyn Bayle, and North Shore (NY)'s Nicole Schneider.