Carlisle Invitational
East Pennboro senior Ryan Blood must feel like he's in a bad cross country movie called 'Attack of the Novices.' At Gettysburg three weeks ago, the senior star was 2nd to frosh sensation Craig Miller of Manheim Township. Miller's twin, Brad, was 4th in the race. And first time XC runner Brian Fuller of Cumberland Valley, a junior, was 3rd. But at Carlisle, Fuller used his first experience to learn the importance of not letting anyone get a gap on you, and pulled away over the final 400 to win on the great Carlisle home course in 15:59.4. Craig Miller, staggering slightly in the final straightaway, held on for 2nd. Blood, fighting allergies, was 3rd, and Brad Miller again garnered 4th. In the other "Challenge", or "A" race, juniors Kate Papenberg, Red Lion, and Kylee Schuler, Chambersburg, battled most of the way, before Papenberg's power gave her the win in 18:37.5. Coatesville served notice that they are on a fast road to challenging at States this year by placing four in the top 27 to win the team title with 119 points. Governor Mifflin placed five in the top 31 for just 68 points behind Nikki Stoyer's 6th place 19:40.88. In the other two varsity races, North Allegheny swept both. North Allegheny was registered for the "Challenge" race, but somehow ended up in the "Champions" race, and didn't get to run against the better teams. Coatesville was still the better team on the day. But in the girls' race, it would have been a close call either way with Governor Mifflin. Upper Merion's Jon Gries won the 2nd varsity race in 16:46.4, while St. Basil's Lynn Morelli cruised to a 19:03.50 win. North Allegheny also sweeps both JV races.