Starliper, Kujdych, Many Others To Make Run At San Diego: Foot Locker Northeast Preview

Some of Pennsylvania's top girls will be looking for one of the ultimate prizes, a trip to San Diego for Foot Locker Nationals. A few girls will have a shot at the top ten, which qualifies you for the national championship meet.

The best bet up front is Marlee Starliper of Northern, who could certainly be considered the favorite to win the Northeast. The sophomore took 30th at Van Cortlandt Park last year, but 2017 has been a special season for her. She's been dominant at every race this season, running an incredible 16:50 at the Carlisle Invitational, and eventually capping her season in PA with a AA state crown.

Starliper's top competition will likely come from the reigning champion Alyssa Aldridge (Mainland Regional, NJ) and Jacqueline Gaughan (Exeter, NH). Aldridge is the FLNE champ, who ended up taking 13th at nationals. But she battled an injury earlier in the season that has hampered her a bit. She took second at New Jersey's Meet of Champions last week to Monica Hebner of North Hunterdon, who may race FLNE, but also may go with her team to NXN-NE. Gaughan is having a terrific senior season, which included two sub-17 performances and a New Hampshire state title. She was sixth, however, at the New England Championships.

Photo by Steven Pisano

Of course, we can't forget about the lone Foot Locker Nationals qualifier from Pennsylvania. That's Taryn Parks of Greencastle-Antrim, who went 18:05 (still her 5K PR) to take seventh in the region last year and qualify to natonals along with Alison Willingmyre. While she's been in the shadow of her District 3 rival Starliper for most of the season, her times have indicated that Parks is roughly around the same spot as she was last year through states. Parks can certainly pull out another top ten finish and San Diego trip on Saturday.

Many others will have a great shot at cracking that top ten with a good day at Van Cortlandt. The AA runner-up, who finished between Starliper and Parks at states is Maddie McLain of Eastern York and she should definitely make a play for a nationals bid. McLain, a Butler recruit, was 22nd at FLNE in 2016 and actually the second top returner behind Parks. Look for the senior to try and close out her career on the highest of notes.

While AAA state champ Liz Mancini will try her luck at Bowdoin Park at NXN-NE, the next two finishers from states in AAA will toe the line in the Bronx. North Allegheny's Clara Savchik, who took second at states for a second straight year should be a factor. She shut down her season after states last year, but the senior and Duke signee is a great veteran racer, who will make a push at San Diego. Upper Saint Clair's Savannah Shaw should also be a serious threat to the top ten. She was third at states and is in the midst of a great senior season. She was 35th last fall, but look for the NC State-bound Shaw to mix it up with the leaders.

Photo by Howard Anderson

1A state champ Tina Capparell of Marian Catholic will also look for a big day on Saturday. Capparell called this year her first truly healthy season, and it showed as she put down strong performances all season long. Keep an eye out for the Delaware recruit.