District 7 Class A Boys - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 4
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 20
Individuals To Watch: Lance Nicholls (Winchester Thurston); Sean Aiken (Eden Christian); Ty Fluharty (Riverside); Nick Szekely (Greensburg Central Catholic)
Contending Teams: Riverview, Winchester Thurston, Eden Christian
The Skinny: Third a year ago, Nicholls has established himself as the WPIAL runner to beat in Class A in 2021, stacking four consecutive big meet wins on top of a season-opening third in the Marty Uher Invite at Roadman Park. The senior also is the top returnee from a year ago. Eden Christian's Aiken was ninth last year and has the top time thus far in this District 7 field.
The battle for this team title could be one of the best in PA so far this season, with plenty of history between the top squads involved. In each of the past five Class A races in District 7, Winchester Thurston has claimed the team title, and Riverview has finished second. They also have a 1-2 finish in the 2019 PIAA finale. Add in a talented Eden Christian squad, and this has the potential to go to a tiebreaker.
District 7 Class AA Boys - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 3
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 15
Individuals To Watch: Ryan Pajak (Ringgold); Matthew Otto (Quaker Valley); Dominic Flitcraft (Hopewell); Julian Kletz (Montour)
Contending Teams: North Catholic, Ringgold, Blackhawk, Beaver Area, Hampton, Uniontown
The Skinny: The only blemish on a very busy big meet schedule in 2021 for Pajak was his third in the Brown race at the Paul Short Run, where he was the only underclassman in the top 10 of that race and the 4th fastest HS runner this year. The sophomore loves a challenge and seems to be able to work off any pace. Expect him to move up a spot from last year and claim WPIAL gold.
Hampton opened the year by finishing second to District 10 power Grove City at Red, White & Blue, finishing ahead of Ringgold, North Catholic and Beaver that day. In last week's TSTCA AA race, the Talbots led the pack with 57 points. North Catholic was the top WPIAL team in a loaded Foundation race. The battle for the PIAA qualifying berths and a trip to Hershey should be tight.
District 7 Class AAA Boys - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 3
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 15
Individuals To Watch: CJ Singleton (Butler); Jack Bertram (North Allegheny); Drew Griffith (Butler); Brett Kroboth (Peters Twp.); Jake Borgesi (South Fayette); Scott Nalepa (North Allegheny)
Contending Teams: North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Fox Chapel Area, Moon Area, Butler
The Skinny: Despite being a little off his game in last week's preview at Roadman Park, the Notre Dame-bound Singleton has won in 2021 and also run well against some of the best distance runners in the country this year. The senior will put himself in the lead as he looks to defend his District 7 title. Expect a big crowd at the mile mark as they head out of sight of the spectators and down the hill before the big climb back to the top.
John Neff's boys team at North Allegheny isn't as young as the girls team, but they do have a freshman No. 1 (Bertram) and a 2-6 spread of just 12 seconds in winning another TSTCA title last week on the district course. The Tigers currently are the top-ranked team in the PennTrack overall rankings and are a big favorite to claim another WPIAL title before shooting for their third PIAA crown in the past four years