NEPA Invitational - Meet Preview
Girls' Preview
Watch for a great individual matchup at Bloomsburg on Saturday. Warrior Run's Lauren Trapani (PA#8), the freshman sensation from last year, will go up against the freshman sensation of this year, Olivia Haas of Blue Mountain (PA#19). Neither girls have raced invite 5Ks since the opening week of the season, and this should be a good test for both.
We can't, however, forget about PA#25 Cori McCormick of North Schuylkill, who is also in this field. She was third in the Blue Race at Foundation last week and should match up well with Trapani and Haas.
The team race will provide some good insight into one of the state's best intra-district battles: Danville Area and Warrior Run. Danville is the defending AA state champs, while Warrior Run (making the move from A to AA for this season) are a squad on the rise.
Danville was third at their invite opener at the PIAA Foundation Invite, while Warrior Run won at Lock Haven to open up its season. Both teams will be looking to get an early upperhand before October's District 4-AA Champs. Saint Marys Area, Mifflinburg, and Honesdale are among the other strong teams in the field.
Boys' Preview
The individual favorite in Ethan Knoebel of Southern Columbia Area. He's claimed a pair of runner-up finishes this season, so he'll be shooting for the top spot on Saturday at Bloom, a course where he ran to the district title last fall.
Loyalsock's Alejandro Quintana, South Williamsport's Port Habalar, and Holy Redeemer's Bryce Zapusek are among the other individuals that could challenge for the win on Saturday.
In the team race, expect a place battle between Warrior Run and Holy Redeemer. Shikellamy and South Williamsport will also be in the mix.