Marty Uher Invitational - Meet Preview
With WPIALs moving from Cooper's Lake to Roadman Park this fall, the Marty Uher has become arguably the top invitational in Pennsylvania to open up the 2018 season. More teams entering means there will be four varsity races (two girls and two boys races) -- Fire (A & AA) and Steel (AAA).
Girls' Preview
In the Steel race, PA will clash with West Virginia and Ohio on Saturday at Cal U. Annie Allen of Saint Joseph Academy (OH) will look for a strong start to her season. She was 21st at the Ohio state meet and is opening up on Saturday out-of-state. Perennial WV stalwart, University High, is also bringing it's squad across state lines. Zoe Shetty and Caroline Kirby are expected to lead University and could contend for the win.
PA's top runner in this field is Upper Saint Clair's Claire Hoffman. As a freshman last year, Hoffman ran 19:19 at states to finish 21st overall.
In the Fire race, the one to beat looks to be Gionna Quarzo of Brownsville Area. Quarzo won the AA state title in the 3,200 meters on the track this spring. Look for the junior to start her season off in a big way on the WPIAL course.
Boys' Preview
Preseason PA#5 boys' squad, Mount Lebanon will look for a good start to its season. PA#9 Patrick Anderson will lead the way for Lebo, which will look to take the top spot in the Steel race. His teammate Peter Cosentino will also be in the mix for the top spot.
The Fire race should feature a good early season battle between some of the WPIAL and state's top A and AA teams. Greensburg Salem (PA-AA#2) has a great trio with Mark Brown (PA#22), Cameron Binda and Dylan Binda. Expect those three to be near the front. But Indiana Area (PA-AA#5) will look to get an early leg up on GS. Led by Kendall Branan, Indiana should challenge for the win. Winchester Thurston (PA-A#1) could also battle for that top spot.
Other individuals to watch from both races are Zach Marmol of Peters Township, Adam Hessler of Freedom Area, and Scott Routledge of Winchester Thurston.