Girls Gold Race (3A) Preview - PIAA Foundational Invitational
- Virtual Meet
- Race Time: 10:30 A.M.
Bethel Park's Emily Carter looks to keep her junior season rolling on Saturday. After winning at Marty Uher and Red, White & Blue, Carter has been on a roll. She's emerged as a state title threat, and she'll get another big test on the state course with a loaded Gold Race field.
Moon Area's Mia Cochran gave Carter a good run at Red, White & Blue before Carter pulled away from her. The sophomore Cochran should once again be in the mix. She was seventh at states and runs well at Hershey. Saturday will mark the season debut of Allyson Clarke, the talented West Chester East senior, who ran to a third place finish at states last season, better than anyone else in the field. She will likely be anxious to mix it up with a strong group of frontrunners.
North Allegheny's Hannah Lindgren, who didn't race last week at Boardman, returns this week. Along with teammate Keeley Misutka, the Tigers will have a strong duo up near the front. Fox Chapel's Grace Sisson, Dallastown's Emily Schuler, and Neshaminy's Kaylee McCullough are among the others in this field that are ranked inside the top 25 of PA.
Others to watch for in this stacked field are West Chester East's Michaela Schiele and Sonia Piombino, Council Rock South's Marisa Kilgarriff, Central Bucks East's Mckenna Brophy, State College's Marlee Kwasnica and Jordan Reed, and Oxford Area's Taj Lanier.
After an impressive win sans Lindgren at Boardman in Ohio, North Allegheny returns to PA this week. The consensus PA No. 1 squad will be tough to beat with its depth. Along with Lindgren and Misutka, Caroline Daggett and freshman Alexa Sundgren are also medal hopefuls. Look for the Tigers to solidfy its state-leading spot on Saturday.
State College Area was impressive last week at Penn State. Now the PA No. 3 Little Lions will take on Hershey and the talented team should make some more noise. West Chester East has the lowsticks, and in the Vikings 5K season opener, it will look to show off the depth that can make it a top contender. Seneca Valley, Strath Haven, Council Rock South, Dallastown, Downingtown East, and James Wood (VA) should also be tough on Saturday.