Boys' Gold Race Recap - PIAA Foundation Invitational
PA#1 and PA#2 passed another big test on Saturday. North Allegheny's Zach Kinne handled the Hershey course well and went wire-to-wire to win the Gold Race in 15:55. Daniel McGoey, his NA teammate, wasn't far behind at all, taking second in 15:58, completing a Kinne-McGoey 1-2 finish for the second time this season.
The race for the team title was a close one, with North Allegheny (PA#2) scoring a 3-point victory over Seneca Valley (PA#4), 78-81. While NA went 1-2, SV put three in the top ten, led by Sam Owori's fifth place finish in 16:26. Seth Ketler and Connor Volk-Klos went 9-10 for the Raiders. NA's next three came across within seven seconds with Andrew Kollitz in 23rd, Ethan James in 27th and Stephen Nalepa in 29th. SV got a boost from freshman Noah Petersen, who placed 26th in 17:10, a time that was 43 seconds better than his Red, White & Blue time on a much tougher course.
It's worth noting NA's depth outside of its top five. On Saturday, Connor Foody and Luke Turkovich were 35th and 36th, while freshman Scott Nalepa won the JV race in 17:33. The insurance (and displacers) could prove pivotal later in the season.
Mount Lebanon's Patrick Anderson continued his strong start to his season. The junior placed third in 16:00, 27 seconds faster than his states time. Mount Lebanon (PA#5) took third in the team standings with 156 points. After Anderson, Peter Cosentino (19th) and Alex Brokaw (22nd) turned in strong performances. State College Area (PA#6) took fourth with 165 points and Great Valley (PA#8) was fifth with 191 points.
Wallenpaupack's Tyler Wirth was fourth individually, running well to finish in a time of 16:17. After Owori was Boyertown's Christian McComb, who was sixth in 16:27.