Ben Bloser Bulldog Invitational (Big Spring) - Meet Recap
Girls
In a terrific matchup in the AAA race, Cedar Crest's Gwyneth Young edged out Northeastern's Margaret Carroll at the line. Young went 18:26 -- faster than her time at LVC -- for the win. Carroll was just .06 off Young's winning time. This won't be the last time these two strong D3-AAA face off. It's a 5K PR for Young, and the first major invitational win for the junior, who just keeps getting better. It's also a PR for Carroll, who is also moving up the ranks.
Red Lion's Gwendolyn Lloyd took third in 18:31, a huge PR for the breakthrough senior. Dallastown's Emily Schuler was fourth in 18:41 and Chambersburg freshman Camryn Kiser came home fifth in 18:46.
PA No. 8 Chambersburg keeps rolling. They edged out PA No. 10 Northeastern by one point, 99-100. PA No. 9 Wilson was a close third with 110 points. Early on, District 3 Class AAA is proving to be one of the state's most intriguing districts. This is a battle to keep an eye on.
In the AA/A race, Peyton Ellis of Boiling Springs continued her big start to her high school career. The freshman went 18:50 for the win, 25 seconds faster than her time from a week earlier at PTXC. It was a runaway win for the ninth grader, who has become yet another top name to watch in PIAA Class AA this season.
Central Cambria, led by Stella Kuntz' 19:44 won the AA team title with 53 points. Donegal was impressive taking second with 61 points. Camp Hill was the 1A team winner with 34 points. Without anticipated top runner Laura Sakol, Camp Hill still put its top 5 in the top 12 to take the win. The top 1A individual finisher was Braetan Peters of Annville-Cleona, who ran 19:43.
Boys
DC's Gonzaga College took two of the top three spots in the AA race. Cullen Capuano claimed the win for Gonzaga in 15:57, while his teammate Patrick Donnelly was third in 16:11.
Sandwiched in between was Muhlenberg's Jonathan Thrush, who went 16:07 for second place -- an impressive PR by the senior.
The Cedar Crest boys showed their strength once again, taking it's second team title in as many weeks. The Falcons scored 80 points to run away with the top team spot by 52 points. Tommy Bildheiser led the way for Cedar Crest with a fourth place finish in 16:14, as the Falcons once again managed a sub-one minute 1 through 5 gap.
J.P. McCaskey was second with 132 points.
In the A/AA race, Juniata's Garrett Baublitz put down the day's fastest time, a 15:46 to run away with the win. That's a 5K PR for the senior, who is coming off a brilliant season on the track in the spring. A year ago, he went 16:24 at the meet, so he looks to be in a good spot for mid-September. Northern Lebanon's Gage Krall was second in 16:15, followed by York Suburban's Cole Adams (third in 16:18).
York Suburban took home top team honors in AA with 52 points. Central Cambria was second with 71 points in a good matchup between two of District 3 and District 6's best. Fairfield Area was the top 1A team, scoring 35 points for the win. Millersburg's Jacob Mavretic was the top 1A boy across, running 16:32.