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PA Pre-Season Preview Central
AA Girls | AAA Girls | PA# 1 Girls: Pennsbury |
AA Boys| AAA Boys | PA#1 Boys: Altoona
Pre-Season Rankings are posted on each story
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Elk Lake is at the front again. A sophomore could surprise a lot of people.
In the 2009 state championship race, experience overcame youth to crown the champion. In 2009, veterans dominated the medal stand as fifteen of the twenty-five medalist were seniors.
For the AA boys teams in 2010, a big window of opportunity has opened up for some new blood to earn their spot in cross country history.
Last year’s champions York Suburban graduated their top six, making it highly possible for a new champion to be crowned.
3rd place finisher in 2009 and preseason #1 Elk Lake (Michael Bedell leads Elk Lake) will look to follow York Suburban’s formula by fielding a team of five seniors and two juniors in their top seven.
2009 runners up Quaker Valley ended the 2010 track on such a high note that despite the graduation of Omar Hyjek and two other top five seniors, they have to be considered in the title race. Lower Moreland comes in with the potential of having the best 1-5 spread in AA, with their top five having 2009 seasonal bests only 36 seconds apart. Germantown Friends had a monster 2009 season, and once again will look to contend with some of the bigger programs throughout the season.
Individually, the top returner from the state title race is Alex Woodrow of Marion Center (6th in 2009). Harold Lamour of Engineering and Science (9th in 2009) was a finalist outdoors in the 800 meters and finished in the top ten on his first attempt at the difficult Parkview course. Nate Tallada of Saegertown (10th in 2009) was a qualifier in the 1600 meter run at states, and Nate Noll of Kutztown (11th in 2009) will now be the leader of his team now that state champion Stephen Welsh has graduated. Noll can show the state what he has learned from the former Kutztown senior star.
Ryan Smathers of North East (Left at West Central Coach in May) had the 2nd best 5000 meter time from the freshmen class in 2009, but may have had the best track season after his 6th place finish at the state meet 1600 meter run. If coaching counts – and it does – look for something special in Smathers.
Returning Medalists:
Alex Woodrown of Marion Center (6th)
Harold Lamour of Engineering and Science (9th)
Nate Tallada of Saegertown (10th)
Nate Noll of Kutztown (11th)
Nat Fox of Quaker Valley (20th)
Donny Scatena of Central Columbia (22nd)
Mike Bedell of Elk Lake (23rd)
A J Limongelli of Holy Redeemer (24th)
Chad King of Bishop McCourt (25th)
PTXC Pre-Season - Boys Small School
1. Elk Lake
T-2. Germantown Friends
T-2. Quaker Valley
4. Lower Moreland
5. Northeast Bradford
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