Meet Preview: PIAA District 6 Championships

Defending state champions Penns Valley are back at it again in 2018, with some young talent supplanting their losses from a year ago. The level of dominance isn't quite what it was last year, though -- Marion Center, who also qualified for states last year and returns its core, should mount a challenge. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy and Purchase Line are two more teams to keep an eye on with two state berths up for grabs.

Individually, Penns Valley's Colton Sands ran an incredible race at Spiked Shoe to win in 15:54 and will be the favorite heading into Districts and possibly states as well. His teammate and fellow state medalist Brendan Colwell wasn't far behind in 16:14, while Saint Joseph Catholic Academy's Carter Kauffman completes the top echelon of D6-A talent. With 10 individual qualifying positions up for grabs in addition to the two teams, there is plenty of opportunity here for young talent to step up and earn themselves a trip to Hershey.

Juniata's Garrett Baublitz has been running strong all season, making it all the more likely he earns his third straight District 6-2A title on Saturday. However, Baublitz's closest competitors aren't too far adrift of the junior's 16:14 at Carlisle. Tyrone Area's Zach Kohler ran 16:25 at Paul Short, while Nick Fetzer of Westmont Hilltop has run 16:23 and qualified for states last year at the A level. District 5 import Van May of Bedford won his own District meet last year and could challenge here.

Team-wise, Central Cambria is the class of this field once again after cruising to victory last year. With most of their depth returning and freshman Eli Wandel added to the scoring mix, the Red Devils shouldn't have any trouble repeating in 2018. Ohm Vyas and Ike Haycisak will be among CC's top finishers and should compete for spots inside the top 5.

This one comes down to Mifflin County versus State College. The Little Lions, who won Mid-Penns despite the absence of Bennett Norton, would have no trouble with the Huskies at a meet with more depth. But in a virtual dual between the squads at Districts, the one-two punch of Brayden Harris and Chayce Macknair make things much more interesting. Norton was State College's top runner in a 27-32 win over Mifflin County on September 25; how he bounces back after missing the conference meet could determine which team pushes on to Hershey.

The team battle aside, Harris and Macknair made a big statement at Mid-Penns by escaping the pack and powering away for an impressive 1-2 finish. State College's Owen Isham is the top District returner from a year ago, but was 35 seconds adrift of Harris at the conference meet. Macknair is also no stranger to big moments, having earned a state medal in 2017. Little Lion senior Joe Messner is also in line for a high finish, while Central Mountain's Corbin Green should punch an individual ticket to states as well.