Boys Preview - PIAA District 2 Championships
Class A
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 1
Andrew Healey is poised to take his second straight district title. The Holy Cross senior is having another strong season that included a PR of 15:38 and plenty of strong showings at major invites. He's one of the top threats in 1A on the state level and his journey to Hershey begins Wednesday at Lakeland.
His teammate Kevin Jumper has had a big season, which included a sub-16 performance at Paul Short. Look for Jumper to be up near the front with Healey and competing for a high finish the next week at states. Montrose's Nick Coy, Blue Ridge's Jack Condon, Susquehanna's Austin Gow, and Holy Cross's Thomas Lee are among the other boys that will compete for spots inside the top five.
Montrose has been the class of D2-A for the last three years, but the quest for a four-peat will be tough with the team in a bit of a rebuilding year. So Holy Cross looks to be the team in the driver's seat to take the district title, and with it, the lone state qualifying spot in D2-A.
Led by Healey, Holy Cross has had a great season that included a fifth place finish at the Foundation Invite. The aforementioned Montrose, as well as Elk Lake are among the teams that will aim to challenge HC for the win.
Class AA
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
Holy Redeemer's Chris Hine was the top returner in D2-AA from last year's meet and this year, he may be the one to beat. He was sixth in a senior-heavy district race last season. Now he is fresh off a WVC title and primed to go after winning the district.
He'll face some competition, though. Wyoming Area's Michael Branley, Scranton Preparatory's Justin Goodrich, and Hanover Area's Joey Rowley and Stephen Rowley will look to get up near the front with him.
The team race will be a close one for the win and the second of two state qualifying spots. Lakeland may lack a lowstick, but they have arguably the best depth in this field, and they have the advantage of the meet being on their home course. Holy Redeemer, the defending champs that scored just 27 points last year, will be strong as well, retooling this year with some good depth. Mid-Valley is also talented in this fairly wide open field.
The NEPA Invite served as a nice preview with many of the contending teams present at Bloomsburg. Lakeland was the top D2-AA team in that field, followed by Mid-Valley and Holy Redeemer (HR was without Grant Smith at that meet).
Crestwood and Lake Lehman are also capable of competing for a high finish in this field, so they can't be counted out.
Class AAA
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 1
A good battle is brewing for the individual title in D2-AAA among a number of boys that should make some noise on the state scene, as well.
Williamsport Area's J. Henry Lyon and Scranton's Josh Christianson are the two favorites here. Lyon went 15:35 early in the season and earned a nice win at the NEPA Invite. Christianson, who was 25th at states in AAA last year, has run a best of 15:50 at Paul Short and is battle tested coming into Wednesday's race. Expect an exciting matchup up front.
North Pocono's Caleb Kenyon is having a good season, too, and could get in the mix with those top two.
The team race figures to be close with a single state spot on the line. Wallenpaupack has won the last two district titles, but a number of other teams will be looking to take them down this season.
Williamsport Area was second at the PHAC Invite and should be a factor with some good depth after lowstick Lyon. North Pocono ran well at Paul Short and could get in the mix. Hazleton Area rolled to the WVC win this past week. Each of these teams have strong resumes heading into Wednesday and it should be close for the lone ticket to Chocolate World.