Pictured Above - Theo Oppermann at the PIAA Foundation XC Invitational - Photo by Ryan Comstock
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As the state is pushing its way into the regular season, standout youngsters are starting to make a name for themselves.
The Pennsylvania season will continue through November, with post-season competition extending to December. In that time, we'll be highlighting some of our "Future Stars".
These are athletes, typically underclassmen, who have the potential to be stars tomorrow. We will highlight a couple of athletes each week.
Theo Oppermann
State College • Class of 2027
Theo Oppermann is making waves during his second year as a varsity runner.
He's scored in three invitational wins for State College as the team's second runner in those races. Oppermann has also run two personal bests this season, both sub-16-minute efforts.
Oppermann opened his season at the Big Valley XC Invitational in August, where he ran 15:57.0, finishing third. His effort made him one of three runners to crack 16 minutes on the course. For reference, the other two runners were Mifflin County standout Carter Smith and Oppermann's older brother Issac, who are both state medalists. Smith on the track, and I. Oppermann in cross country.
Oppermann's early season momentum rolled into the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational. He clocked in an impressive 15:47.8 personal best, running twenty seconds faster than his freshman-year PR.
Most recently, Opperman finished fifth in the 3A race at the PIAA Foundation XC Invitational, a preview meet of the state championship course. He ran 16:09.0 on the challenging Hershey course. For context to the significance of this effort, James Kuduk (Souderton Area) ran 16:33.0 to earn the final medal (25th) at last year's PIAA 3A Cross Country State Championship.
Leah Navarro
Dallastown • Class of 2028
Dallastown freshman Leah Navarro caught attention last weekend after winning the 3A race at the Ben Bloser XC Invitational.
Navarro navigated the challenging hills on the Big Spring High School course in 18:28.60. She finished 13.5 seconds ahead of teammate Neila Granger who finished second. Granger is a top returning sophomore who just missed medaling at last year's PIAA 3A Cross Country State Championship after finishing 31st.
Big Spring's nationally recognized course is the host site for the PIAA District Three Championships. Looking ahead to the district meet, what could we expect to see from Navarro?
Navarro's 18:28.60 from Ben Bloser would have notched her third at last year's district meet, splitting seniors Claire Paci (Greencastle-Antrim), who ran 18:23.80, and Kaitlyn Highduch (Governor Mifflin). With that in mind, should Navarro run a similar effort, she has the potential to contest for the overall district title as a freshman.
