Bear Mountain River Run - Meet Preview
Girls' Preview
Last year, Warrior Run's Lauren Trapani made state and national headlines when the then-freshman dropped a 17:41 in her first-ever high school race. Trapani ended up second in the state in 1A during a terrific ninth grade campaign. Now a sophomore, Trapani (Preseason PA#7) is back for an encore performance at Lock Haven.
But she won't be unchallenged this year. She'll receive a good race from Isabel Sagar of Loyalsock Township (Preseason PA#9). Sagar, a fellow District 4 champ from last year, was ninth at states in XC last year and took second in the AA 3,200 meters at states on the track this spring. She seems primed for a big fall, and an early season matchup with Trapani will be a good test.
Other individuals to watch for are General McLane's Devyn Bayle, Warren Area's Naomi Hahn, Bishop McCort's Bridget Barbato, and Elk Lake's Shayanne Benet.
The reigning team champions, Elmira Express (NY), are led by Taeli Quanz, who took fifth last year. Warrior Run and General McLane are a pair of teams with high hopes this season looking to start their seasons off with a good team performance.
Boys' Preview
Nate Price of General McLane looks to defend his Bear Mountain River Run title on Saturday. The senior and Preseason PA#7 will look to get his 2018 XC season off on the right foot, similar to how he did last season. The reigning District 10-AA champion will be joined up front by teammate and fellow senior Erik Andrzejewski. The pair went 1-2 last year, and will look to do the same this season.
Hoping to challenge for the win is Ethan Knoebel of Southern Columbia Area. Knoebel won the District 4 Class A individual title last year, and will look to start things off well this season. He won this race in 2016. Bishop McCort's Michael Hanik, Elk Lake's Peyton Jones, and Central Mountain's Corbin Green are among the other individual contenders.
General McLane is the team to beat on Saturday, coming in as a the defending champions. Warrior Run, Elmira Express, Solanco, and Southern Columbia could also get in the mix.