Big Valley Invitational - Meet Recap
Girls Race
The PA No. 3 girls from State College Area got the season off to a good start. The Little Lions took the top three spots, led by Jordan Reed, who earned the individual win in 19:21. Freshman Marlee Kwasnica had a strong start to her career, showing she'll be one of the state's top ninth graders this season. She was second in 19:23. Elly Haushalter was third in 19:27 for SC.
Westmont Hilltop's Bridget Barbato was fourth in 19:31 and Punxsutawney's Olivia Roberts was fifth in 19:38
State College earned the win with 59 points. This squad is proving it has the talent and depth to compete well this season again with the top AAA squads in the state. Forest Hills ran well to take second in the overall results with 90 points, the top AA team in the field.
Boys Race
Colton Sands of Penns Valley started his season off on the right foot and the junior showed that he'll be a serious threat for the top spot in PIAA Class A this fall. Sands ran to the win in 15:48, besting a field that saw three others dip under 16 minutes.
State College's Ben St. Pierre came across second in 15:52 and Westmont Hilltop's Nick Fetzer took third in 15:56. Those were all big PRs for each of the top three, showing that District 6 will be a force this season.
Mifflin County's Brayden Harris (PA No. 3), who normally comes on strong at the end of the season was fourth in 15:58. That's over 30 seconds faster than Harris' time last year at Big Valley in a season where he eventually placed fourth at states and 12th at FLNE.
State College Area rolled to the team win with 40 points in the overall team standings. Led by St. Pierre's big run -- a sign that he'll make for a very solid No. 1 on a good team -- the Little Lions won by 59 points over second place. Bennett Norton, Brady Bigger, and Sean Adams each placed inside the top ten for SC.