CoachJohn Neff on the boys' win at WPIALs
5. North Allegheny sweeps WPIAL team titles; could the Tigers sweep at states?
The class of the WPIAL in AAA was North Allegheny on both the girls' and boys' sides.
The Tigers were incredible in the girls' race, putting 5 inside the top 13 in a very deep district. Usual No. 1 runner Hannah Lindgren was NA's No. 4 runner on Thursday, but that didn't matter as far as the team situation was concerned. Keeley Misutka and Caroline Daggett (6th and 7th in the WPIAL) led the way, as NA scored just 45 points, 62 points ahead of a solid Oakland Catholic squad.
Coach John Neff's on the girls' win at WPIALs
The boys were also impressive at Roadman Park. Up front, Daniel McGoey ran a perfect race, coming from behind late to take the win. Despite an off race from normal top runner Zach Kinne, who ended up 8th, NA claimed a solid win when team scores were released. 10 seconds separated the Tigers' three through five runners.
On Saturday at Hershey, North Allegheny will look to do what only two other schools (North East in 1982 and Elk Lake in 2012), but no AAA school has ever accomplished: win both girls and boys XC state titles. John Neff's troops haven't had many hiccups along the way this season -- and if they do, there seems to be another NA runner there to pick them up.
The double PIAA Foundation Invitational champs from September will be looking for more sweetness in Hershey this coming weekend.
The boys will face a stiff challenge from defending AAA champs LaSalle College and consistently strong Downingtown West, along with WPIAL foes Seneca Valley and Mount Lebanon.
The girls will look to fend off the impressive District 1 champs Central Bucks West, which ran to its second straight AAA district crown. District 1 runner-ups West Chester Henderson, District 6 champs State College Area, and defending state champs Fox Chapel Area could also make some noise