Class AAA
It will be a
cool Friday morning for the District 1 competitors at Lehigh University. The
course may also be damp from Wednesday's rain, but should it dry up, the
athletes will fly.
Everyone
will be chasing Jake Brophy of Central Bucks East. The defending district and
state champion is still undefeated on the season, and had the wind been more
cooperative last week at the Suburban One Championships, he may have broken 15
minutes. Friday will be his final chance to achieve that milestone. But while
chasing that goal, he will have some big stars chasing him.
Two of them
are the Hoey brothers, Jaxson and Josh, who have made the switch to the PIAA
look effortless. Jaxson has run 15:28 this season while Josh has run 15:40.
Rock Fortna of Central Bucks West will also be in the mix after finishing 2nd
to Brophy last Friday. Connor McMenamin of Souderton believes he can improve
from his performance last week despite running in the 15:40s. Jeff Kirshenbaum
of Methacton can tussle with this group. He's fallen to Jake Brophy twice this
season, but has been sensational against all other competitors.
The race
will also have five state qualifying berths on the line. Downingtown West and
Central Bucks West will enter the race as heavy favorites to qualify as the top
two teams in the race. This will be the first time these teams will match up.
Both teams have yet to taste defeat this season, so something has to give. Both
teams have three runners who have broken 16 minutes this season, and both teams
have decent 1-5 spreads. The fine margins may determine who enters the state
meet as district champion and state title favorites.
As for the
other three spots, West Chester Henderson will always be in the mix for one of
those berths. The 2014 district runners up surprised everyone by qualifying for
states with a squad that graduated the bulk of its varsity squad. They've been
consistent this season, earning several runner up finishes to Downingtown West.
The program has always been sharp on the biggest meet days, and Friday will be
no exception. Central Bucks East has picked up some momentum after some early
season struggles, and with Jake Brophy contending for the gold medal up front,
that one point could go a long way in punching their state meet ticket.
Council Rock
North were sensational in their Suburban One title race last week, looking like
a dominant force. Should that squad return Friday, a trip to states will be a
likely outcome. Spring Ford surprised many teams with their 2nd place
finish at the Paul Short Run behind District 3 Hempfield. Spring Ford won the
PAC 10 title last week and are a new team since Paul Power's graduation.
Hatboro Horsham, Owen J Roberts, North Penn and William Tennent will look to be
the one team that has a big race and sneaks into states, something that traditionally
happens in this race.
VIRTUAL
MEET
Class AA
Will the
hoodoo end for Holy Ghost Prep in their bid to qualify for the state meet for
the first time since switching to AA four years ago? They are coming off their
20th consecutive league championship last week and have made
adjustments to try and avoid another crash and burn at districts. Patrick Donahue
and Callahan Lennon will lead the team that finished in the top ten at Paul Short
back in early October. They will also be favorites for the individual gold
medal. Bishop Shanahan will look to qualify themselves after winning two
invitational titles, including the Paul Short White race crown. Jack Ettien,
Chris Kolimago, and Seamus Breslin will lead the charge.
Of course,
there's that small road block known as the three time District 1 AA champions
Pottsgrove. Every season, they get counted out as a contender for the district
crown, only to blow their competition out of the water each time. Michael
Neeson and Brendan Wurtz will look to foster a 4th straight crown
for Pottsgrove, but this could be their toughest challenge to date.
VIRTUAL
MEET
Class A
New Hope
Solebury and Jenkintown will square off for the team title and the lone state
qualifying berth. Each team have good front threes, and their performances
could decide the championship. Chris Cammarata will lead New Hope Solebury,
while Christian Geer will be the front man for Jenkintown. Both runners will be
chasing favorite Michael Gunden of Christopher Dock for the individual title.
VIRTUAL
MEET
