Class AAA Boys Individuals Preview - PIAA State Championships
Patrick Anderson entered the state meet last year as an underdog of sorts. But in a crowd of favorites that included a pair of teammates who were his district rivals, Anderson showed his now signature toughness on a muddy Hershey course and prevailed in the final mile, running to the state title.
It's a different story this year. Anderson enters as the odds-on favorite in AAA. The recent UNC-Chapel Hill commit enters Saturday undefeated, having claimed wins at Red, White & Blue, Foundation, Legends (OH), and WPIALs, among others. He ran his 5K PR of 15:09 at the Legends meet and broke the course record three times (!) at California University of PA. This decade has seen two other boys win back-to-back individual state titles in AAA -- Tony Russell (2012 & 2013) and Jake Brophy (2014 & 2015) -- and Anderson will look to add his name to the list.
Anderson has the target on his back, but he's handled everything that has been thrown at him this season, including a number of races against some loaded WPIAL competition.
North Allegheny's Daniel McGoey is among those names. The senior was third two years ago and second last year. He's a savvy veteran that has been among NA's top runners since his freshman season. He was second to Anderson at WPIALs most recently and we can look for McGoey to battle it out to try and move up to the top spot at Hershey.
Mars Area's Zachary Leachman is enjoying a terrific season on the trails. He was second to Anderson at both Foundation and TSTCAs, before taking third at WPIALs. He's a tough racer and will also be among the contenders in the lead pack. Christian Fitch of Fox Chapel Area was fifth at states last year, one of three returning WPIAL boys from the top five in the state. He was fourth at WPIALs and is in a good spot to compete for another top five at states.
Cole Walker of Unionville is certainly one boy that won't back down from the challenge of going for the state title. The senior kicked his way to his second straight District 1 title. After an 11th place states finish last season, Walker has returned for a big 2019. He's undefeated, winning at 5Ks at White Creek (DE), Carlisle, and Ches-Monts before D1. He's got a good kick and good strength and should put himself right in the mix for the win.
Aiden Barnhill of Downingtown West was second to Walker at both Carlisle and District 1. He was the top PA boy at Manhattan and has had a big season as the Whippets' top runner. He should be in the lead pack, as well, and fellow D-West runner Declan Rymer won't be far behind. Garnet Valley's Sean Garrett has been another breakthrough this season and he'll aim to keep it rolling at states after a third place D1 finish. Unionville's Ethan McIntyre has been among the state's best No. 2 runners this season. He was fourth at D1 and will be a big factor into the state race. Perkiomen Valley's Tyler Clifford (fifth in D1) is another top ten threat in this field.
Central Bucks East's Jack McManus, Hatboro Horsham's Devon Comber, and Kennett's Gavin Maxwell are among the other top District 1 boys that will be in the hunt for high places.
LaSalle's Ethan Maher has been on a tear this season. Before winning the Philly Catholic League and District 12, the senior was second at Bowdoin (NY) and Paul Short. At Lehigh, he ran 15:20, the second best 5K time in this field next to Anderson. His LaSalle teammate Vincent Twomey is a returning state medalist, taking 22nd last year. Along with Bradden Koors, those two will look to put three on the podium for the Explorers. A pair of District 2 boys will be in the hunt for the top ten. J. Henry Lyon of Williamsport Area won the D2 title and Josh Christianson of Scranton was second in that race. Lyon ran 15:35 this season, while Christianson ran a great states race to take 25th last year.
Butler's impressive sophomore duo of CJ Singleton (fifth at WPIALs) and Sage Vavro (seventh at WPIALs) has been on fire during the month of October. Those two will look to keep it rolling into states and should be in the mix near the front. Peters Township's Zach Marmol was sixth in the WPIAL and has been solid all season long. Seneca Valley's Noah Petersen is another strong sophomore coming out of the WPIAL that should be in medal medal contention. These D7 boys are battle-tested and no stranger to the big competition they'll see on Saturday.
State College has a strong duo that will be in the medal mix with District 6 champion Brady Bigger and D6 runner-up Ben St. Pierre. A sleeper pick in this field is Brayden Harris of Mifflin County, who was third in D6. He was fourth at states as a sophomore, but his junior year has been plagued by injury. While he's not in top form, he's a talented runner that can't be counted out.
Muhlenberg's Jonathan Thrush earned the District 3 title with a great race last Saturday at Big Spring. It was a wide open race coming in, but Thrush will certainly be one to watch, riding the momentum of his big win. Penn Manor's Graham Thomas (second in D3) and Central Dauphin's Timothy Roden (third in D3) are among the others to watch. Roden may be the best freshman in the AAA field.