District Week Previews: District Four

by Jarrett Felix

Check out the full place by place breakdown by clicking here

District 4 Championships 10/27

AA (2 Teams, 10 Individuals)

District 4 was upgraded a team and 5 individuals in 2016, opening the door for a few more runners from a very successful district to take their shot. It’s a good thing because I was torn between Milton and Lewisburg for the top spot and now I can just throw them both in!

I like what I’ve seen from Milton this year, especially their top two runners Tyler Lesser and Seth Kendall. They had big days at districts a year ago, placing 7^th and 9^th as sophomores, but missed out on the chance to compete at states as they weren’t in the qualifying 5. With a little extra fire this year and the sophomore-junior jump, I expect big things from these two and their low sticks should help carry the team home.

Lewisburg is always a strong program, but they’ve been beat out for the state qualifying spot the past two seasons, last year thanks to an upset victory from Mifflinburg. One of their key front runners, Anthony Bach, didn’t race in the team’s last contest, but if he’s back in the line-up it’s a huge lift (he was 2^nd at districts last year). Lewisburg still has Nick Alico to lean on at the front in his absence. Jack Spaulding will be the x-factor if this team is going to beat out Milton for the District title.

Individually, this race should belong to Isaac Davis. He’s been absolutely dominant this year against District 4 competition and also ran away from the field at Foundation in September. There may not be anyone in the state who could beat him, let alone from in his own backyard. That being said, I’m excited to see how Loyalsock’s Quinn Serfass handles the match up. Serfass ran 15:57 at Paul Short (running unattached) and moves up from A last year. I don’t think he’s quite on Davis’s level, but his Lehigh race was a big breakthrough. I’m interested to see if he can keep things close or if Davis will run away from him the same way he has the others.

Serfass is far from a lock for silver as the previously mentioned Tyler Lesser has tracked well behind Davis in recent weeks. He also has 1:55 800m speed to try and hunt down anyone who goes out too hard trying to run a fast early pace.

Matt Leiby from Danville would by my sleeper pick. I’m also watching for Cassidy Hoffman of Warrior Run and Madden Doud of Conwanesque Valley. We will also see if Isaac Davis will be accompanied by any teammates to the state meet this year. They’ve likely learned a lot running behind him this season.

A (1 Team, 5 Individuals)

I’d argue that this is going to be the best winner-take-all match-up of the entire district week. Two of the top teams in the state come in, only one leaves with a golden ticket to Hershey. In one corner is Northeast Bradford. They are the consistent power with championship pedigree. Since the inception of the three classification system, NEB has always worked its way into team title talks. A year ago they won the district championship with a score of 40 points, 64 ahead of second place.

In the other corner, is the challenge Southern Columbia. They were third a year ago, missing out on a state qualifying spot by just 20 points. That team featured three freshmen, including 5^th place finisher Ethan Knoebel. Southern Columbia showed they were ready for the big stage at the Foundation Invite, placing 2^nd overall in the loaded team competition.

Both teams deserve a ticket to Hershey, but, unfortunately, only one is up for grabs. My pick is Northeast Bradford. I think they are just a bit deeper and should have the firepower out front to hold off SC’s counter. Personally, I think Casey Ellis of NEB might end up a ton 10 finisher at states when all is said and done. Garret Smith is a proven top 30 finisher in the state and Zak Smith is a very talented sophomore who should match up well with some of Southern Columbia’s guys like Nick Kuzo and Jacob Petro (also a sophomore).

Individually, this race has the potential to be exciting as well. Defending champion Hunter Crawley is hoping to keep the title with South Williamsport for a 4^th straight season (and they’ve got a talented sophomore Tayge Molino being groomed behind him). However, Crawley will have his hands full with Casey Ellis and Ethan Knoebel both hungry for the title. Hunter had a solid showing at Paul Short, but he seems a little vulnerable this year, especially compared to last. Will he hold on for a second straight victory?

In the sleeper category, watch for Wellsboro’s Aidan Perry, another very talented sophomore as well as Alex Patton, a frosh from Wyalusing. These guys have a chance to break up the fun for any seniors hoping to make a championship trip in their last district championships. Overall, I’m projecting the front of this race to be a pretty young group so it should be fun to watch the next generation emerge.

Friendly reminder for those looking, AAA District 4 runs in a combined regional meet with AAA District 2. Check out the D2 preview for more information.