Included in the mix will be a two-time XC state champion, a first time state champ with PA's best 5k of the season, an elite homeschooled runner, the PCL runner-up, a should-have-been medalist who plans to keep both shoes on, and four of a coming crop of sophomore guys that could be one of the best.
The two-time champ is, of course, Craig Miller, the Manheim Township junior who will be making his first attempt for a Foot Locker berth. Twin Brad, after finishing an amazing 9th at States after losing a shoe near the start, has taken off both shoes and started his winter of swimming. Senior Jeff Weiss of McGuffey has a 15:07 this fall, and cruised through Districts and States, setting course records for Slippery Rock at Tri-States, and for Hersheypark at States during his run. He and Craig have the best shot at making the top eight. Joining Craig at last Sunday's NY Road Runners' XC championships at Van Cortlandt Park was homeschooled Neely Spence, a ninth grade prodigy who has been focusing on the race for over a year since seeing videotapes of the finals. She's the daughter of Olympic marathoner Steve Spence.
Cardinal O'Hara star Greg Thomas - while he's been close this season - hopes to get back to 2003 levels before starting indoor. Connellsville senior Ken King is hoping to make up for his state race in which he also lost a shoe. He had been 5th as a junior. And sophs Mark Bucklaw (Lakeland), Sean Craig (Honesdale), Isaac Dunkelberger (Tamaqua), and Ben Hahn (Smethport) are four of an incredible group of young PA guns looking to get the experience they need to step it up to an even higher level.
All in all, it's a PA group that could make some noise.
Boys
Curtis Bixler, Mechanicsburg PA M 11
Mark Bucklaw, Mayfield PA M 10
Sean Craig, Honesdale PA M 10
Isaac Dunkelberger, Tamaqua PA M 10
Ben Hahn, Smethport PA M 10
John Harrison, Lewisburg PA M 12
Bruce Hordusky, Erie PA M 12
Kyle Jones, Pittsfield PA M 11
Lane King, Fairview PA M 11
Lane Luff, Emmaus PA M 12
John Mahoney, Richboro PA M 12
Tyler Mccandless, Bath PA M 12
Craig Miller, Lancaster PA M 11
Brandon Pomerantz, Holland PA M 12
Andrew Stutzman, Kutztown PA M 12
Mike Terzyk Council Rock South PA M 12
Gregory Thomas, Collingdale PA M 11
Steve Thompson, Northumberland PA M 12
Jake Walker, Ellwood City PA M 11
Jefferson Weiss, Avella PA M 12
Ellis Wilson, Coatesville PA M 12
Girls
Liz Brickley, Greensburg PA F 11
Diana Filtz, Harrison City PA F 10
Alexa Griffiths, Tamaqua PA F 10
Shannon Hoffman, Watsontown PA F 12
Marie Lamparter,Carisle PA F 10
Kaitlynn Meck, Dillsburg PA F 9
Karaleigh Millhouse, Boiling Springs PA F 9
Sarah Morrison, Chambersburg PA F 10
Ashley Shuck, Milton PA F 12
Nichole Smith, Mercer PA F 12
Lisa Giacometti, Dallas PA F 11
Tricia Learn, Troy PA F 12
Erin Roberts, Fogelsville PA F 11
Neely Spence, Shippensburg PA F 9
Alycia Woodruff, West Chester PA F 10
PA participants registered for Northeast Foot Lockers