Boys Blue Race (2A) Preview - PIAA Foundation Invitational
- Virtual Meet
- Race Time: 12:00 P.M.
Juniata's Garrett Baublitz heads up what should be a good boys' Blue Race for Saturday. Baublitz ran to second at the state meet last year, and should be even better this year -- his senior season. He had a terrific track season and last week dropped a PR of 15:46 on a challenging Big Spring course. He'll be the one to beat at noon.
After that, there's a strong group of runners that have been making their way onto the state radar in a bigger way this season. Beaver Area's Will Lamb has started his junior season off in a big way. He went 16:19 to win at Red, White & Blue a few weeks ago. Now one of the season's top breakthroughs will look for a big day at Hershey.
There are two other state medalists from last year in the field. Patrick Stevens of Meadville Area and Anthony Litrenta of New Castle are those two boys. Both have had good starts to the season with Stevens winning at McDowell and Litrenta ran well at Red, White & Blue. Blackhawk's Jack Aulbach was second to Lamb at Red, White & Blue. York Suburban's Cole Adams was third at Big Spring last week. Each of these boys should be in the mix near the front on Saturday.
Indiana Area's Kendall Branan is back in action this week, fresh off a win at Kiski last week. New Castle's Zac Gibson, Hickory's Cole Frazier, York Suburban's Shea Walsh, and Pine Grove's Travis Anderson are among the others to watch for.
The battle for the top team spot will likely come down to PA-AA No. 2 New Castle, PA-AA No. 4 York Suburban and Indiana Area, which could find its way back in the rankings with a good showing. New Castle has been very strong this season, taking second to AAA's Butler at McDowell and then placing third behind WPIAL AAA powers Mount Lebanon and North Allegheny. This team doesn't back down from a challenge, and will be a squad to watch for. York Suburban had an impressive opener at Big Spring, taking the AA team title with a 1 through gap under a minute. Indiana was second at Kiski last week, and should be in the mix with these squad.
Others teams to watch for are South Fayette, Meadville Area, Shikellamy, Beaver Area, and Pope John Paul II.