It is certainly championship season, and we wanted to give a quick preview of three championships going down across the state tomorrow (10/18). Make sure you stay tuned to our Results Page for all results following the conclusion of championships across the state.
YAIAA League Championship - Preview
Boys Preview
It will be all Matthew O'Brien (Susquehannock) out front tomorrow. He tore through the Gettysburg course last week, running the third fastest time in course history, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. If he races tomorrow, he should secure the 'easy' victory.
But behind him Shernel Singh (South Western) and Jakob Rager (Dallastown) should battle for second. They enter with season bests of 15:48 and 15:49 respectively, both at Paul Short. To further the excitement surrounding this bout, their teams will be locked in a battle for the championship. Dallastown, South Western, and Central York are currently projected to finish in that order, separated by less than 20-points. Every point will matter, and that battle up-front could shake the final standings.
Dallastown and South Western rely on their front runners for low sticks, whereas Central York relies on a tight spread. If Central York moves their core up throughout the race, they may be in the running before all is said and done.
Girls Preview
Dallastown, should by all standards, dominate the YAIAA League Championship. If they run their A-squad, the PA No. 7 ranked Wildcats should place five runners inside the top-12, behind finishes by Victoria Rodriguez, Kailey Granger, Addison Emenheiser, Alexis Federline, and Mae Treml.
Rodriguez and Granger will run together up front, with season bests of 17:59 and 18-flat respectively.
Behind them, there will be an authentic duel for second as Kaydence Strange (Eastern York), Hayley Green (Central York), Ella Bahn (Spring Grove) and Nicole Dauberman (Susquehannock) all enter with season bests within five seconds of eachother.
Add in Cali Cook (South Western), and it's anyones race for third.
Northeastern, South Western and Central York should all be in a tight battle for the runner-up finish. Red Lion and York Catholic will contend for top-five team finishes.