Boys' Gold (AAA) Race Preview - PIAA Foundation Invitational
Race Time: 12:45 P.M.
Zach Kinne will make his Hershey debut on Saturday. The PA#1 senior from North Allegheny won his debut on PA soil at Red, White & Blue a few weeks ago. Now Kinne and his NA teammate (and PA#2) Daniel McGoey will look for success on one of the state's toughest course (which also happens to host the state meet).
After NA's strong team win at Red, White & Blue, the squad, which sits at PA#2 will be the favorites on Saturday at Foundation. It will get a challenge from Seneca Valley, which was second to NA at RWB. With a strong trio up front of Seth Ketler, Sam Owori, and Connor Volk-Klos, the Raiders will hope to reverse its fortune this weekend.
PA#5 Mount Lebanon and PA#6 State College Area have both won a pair of invites this season. Lebo has some good lowsticks, led by Patrick Anderson, while SC has strong depth with Bennett Norton and Owen Isham. Great Valley (PA#8) has put together a solid string of two weeks, winning at Abington and placing third at Briarwood. GV, led by Seth Hoffritz, has close grouping, which will bode well in a big field. Owen J. Roberts, Central Bucks East, Methacton, and Lower Merion are among the other teams to watch for in the final varsity race of the day at Hershey.
Kinne is the one to beat individually. He ran 15:33 at Schenley Park two weeks and rested last week. A state title will go through Hershey and the senior will get his first look at the Reverse Aloha Hills course this Saturday. McGoey will push Kinne, though. The junior was second at RWB and third at Boardman, and he always runs well at Hershey; he was second at Foundation and third at states as a sophomore last year.
PA#6 Tyler Wirth of Wallenpaupack was sixth at PTXC 10 and will look for a big race at Hershey. He went 15:59 and took fifth at states last year. The WPIAL has a strong contingent after the NA duo. PA#7 Anderson of Mount Lebanon, PA#8 Ketler of Seneca Valley, PA#9 Christian Fitch of Fox Chapel Area, PA#10 Owori of Seneca Valley are all set to go on Saturday. Hershey will provide a good clash for these district foes.
Christian McComb of Boyertown (PA#13) has been off to a flying start this season, winning at Northampton and taking the top PA spot at PTXC 10. The junior likes the Hershey course; he was 28th in a big breakthrough last season, so he'll be one to watch.
Mars Area's Zachary Leachman, OJR's Linus Blatz, Spring Ford's John Zawislak, Mount Lebanon's Peter Cosentino are also part of a deep group of individuals in this Gold Race field.