With local league, conference and county championships beginning, and out-of-state thrillers looming - we have plenty of action on the docket for this weekend. There are plenty of storylines, but these are the four we zeroed in on ahead of the weekend.
Pennsylvania takes on Manhattan
Several teams will take their talents to New York for the Manhattan College XC Invitational presented by HOKA. There, PA #1 La Salle College boys and PA #13 North Penn boy will highlight the action for Pennsylvania.
La Salle won the Eastern States race at Manhattan in 2021. Cole Casadei is the sole returner from that race, but the Explorers have plenty of experience to drive them forward. Nolan Yeagle, Will Palopoli, Sam Kelchner, and George Hohenleitner will round out La Salle's Top 5.
They'll have very sturdy competition - including New Jersey's Christian Brother's Academy (CBA), arguably the best team on the Eastern Seaboard. CBA boasts an average speed rating of 181.2.
Drew Griffith and Logan St. John Kletter take on MileStat
Drew Griffith will compete at the MileStat Invitational in Virginia. The Butler senior is likely ready to throw down a quick time. We have yet to see Griffith fully exert himself this year, and this could be the first opportunity for him to let loose.
We last saw him race at the PIAA Foundation Invitational, where he won the 3A race by a ridiculous margin. He could go after the Meet Record at MileStat. Charlie Ortman set the record of 14:40 last year. It is undoubtedly a quick course; however, the current weather forecast calls for showers. If the course is spongy, it could take some time out of Griffith's legs, but if not, he can indeed run for the win and a solid mark.
After making her season debut in a 17:19 last week, Logan St. John Kletter is also in line to run something fast at MileStat. She'll have top-notch competition, including future UNC teammates Maddie Gardiner (17:13 5k best) and Reese Dalton (17:28 best).
Hannah Rae Shaffer, who ran 17:18 earlier this year, is also slated to compete.
Ranked Teams Set to Square off at the CAL Championship
PA #10 Lower Merion currently leads the Central Athletic League standings on the boys' side. They'll look to win the overall league and championship titles on Friday, Oct 13. They'll have to hold off PA #9 Penncrest and PA #12 Conestoga. Both programs are hungry and gunning for the Championship.
Lower Merion most recently finished fourth in the Paul Short Brown Race (ahead of Penncrest), Penncrest most recently won the DELCO Championship, and Conestoga is coming off of a second-place finish at the William Tennent Invitational (behind Council Rock North).
On the girls' side, PA #12 Conestoga currently leads the league standings, but PA #5 Haverford is in second, just one point back.
Those two teams will dual it out with very different squads altogether. Haverford Township is front-heavy, relying on Olivia Cieslak's and Camryn McGeehan's strong finishes. On the contrary, Conestoga relies on a solid compression from its contingent and aims to move as a pack throughout a race.
What Coach Coren (Strath Haven) had to say:
"There are 12 Central League teams. Conestoga won all 11 dual meets. They will at least share the Central League title. Conestoga beat Haverford in a reasonably close dual meet. Conestoga is coming off three big wins at Six Flags, Salesianum, and the William Tennent Invitational, while Haverford crushed the competition at Delco.
My prediction: Haverford's #3 has improved immensely, and Haverford's depth is increasing. Even though Conestoga may be considered a slight favorite, Haverford will win this Championship meet."
Mid-Penn features Strong Teams and Individuals
Watch for ranked Hershey, Chambersburg, and State College teams to square off at the Mid-Penn Championships.
The State College boys look to get back on track after a down week at the Carlisle Invitational. Red-hot Hershey will continue to apply the pressure to other ranked programs. The boys' team most recently finished second to Manheim Township at the Paul Short Run.
They were just one point back and are likely itching to secure a major championship win.