District Week Previews: District Six

By Jarrett Felix

Here's the District 6 full breakdown on LXV+

District 6 Championships 10/29

A (2 Teams, 10 Individuals)

Juniors Sam Cunkelman and Chris Colwell have both been tapped as the future of District 6 A. The pair were stars from their freshman seasons and, a year ago as sophomores, were the first two runners from their district to cross the line at states, placing 29^th and 34^th. The duo will go head to head for the district championship this weekend with Cunkleman as the favorite, but Colwell will give him all he can handle. The extra advantage Chris can boast is his Penns Valley teammates. The Penns Valley boys had a strong showing at the Foundation Invitational and appear to be contenders for a top five spot in the state behind Colwell’s leadership along with other top three stand outs Mark Bierly and Sam Gray (both also juniors).

Also contending for the individual crown should be Michael Peters of St. Joesph’s and Jacob Shulte of Bishop McCort. Peters was 4^th a year ago to help lead his St. Joesph’s team to a second place finish and state qualifying effort. The x-factor in the title match up could be another junior, Micah Kurka of Purchase Line. He’s been consistently improving in recent weeks and has a chance to pull off a spectacular finish in line with his 3^rd place run from a year ago. His finish will be critical as Purchase Line should once again be locked in a tight team battle for that second qualifying spot.  I’ve got them pulling this one out based on the league performance, but everyone brings their A game for the big meet.

AA (1 Team, 5 Individuals)

Central Cambria was your district champion a year ago, defeating a pair of District 5 teams for the title in Bedford and Somerset. This year, those District 5 teams have been given their own qualifying opportunity in a separate race, meaning this one is Central Cambria’s to lose. And CC has taken full advantage of the opportunity, putting on a pack running clinic in recent weeks. They have five or six guys who can step up and be the #1 runner on the team including Mike Walwro, Tyler Wilson and Ohm Vyas, varsity members on last year’s championship team, but also newcomers Zach Brandis and Nate Kuntz. I’m interested to see how much front running they have in this meet, as they will need a little extra punch out front if they want to compete with the big guns around the state, but this is a young team with a bright future. Each chance to build experience and learn will be important.

Individually, the youth movement continues as sophomore Mitchell Chunta sets his eyes on the individual crown. Some of the area’s best runners are running in the D5 meet this year, so Chunta has a bit more of an open path for the title. However, the Kohler boys from Tyrone area will stand in his way along with the army from Central Cambria. Rob Patrick of Longier Valley could also be a factor along with Brett Pope of Bellefonte Area.

AAA (1 Team, 5 Individuals)

State College has become the power in this district and that run of dominance is expected to continue. The Little Lions quieted any doubts I may have had about their depth at Mid Penns where they matched up nicely with some of the state’s elite programs. Nick Feffer, Owen Isham and Owen Wing make for a strong front running trio while Thomas Branstetter’s recent ascent as the team’s #4 has made them even more formidable. I’ll be watching the #5 spot to see if they cut the gap between 4 and 5, opening the door for something special at states.  

Mifflin County has had a strong season with a very young team. They will struggle to knock off SC, but I’m excited to see their young guys give it a shot. Chayce Macknair and Seth Phillips, a pair of sophomores, have both dipped under 17 this year already at Carlisle. Macknair in particular has caught my eye as a consistently strong front runner. If Freshman Chase Sheaffer is back and running in the top 3, combined with a big day from Garren Wolfgang like he had at Carlisle, Mifflin County could maybe sneak four guys into the state meet. However, Altoona’s 1-2 punch of Greg Williams and Brady McCarthy will likely break up any hopes MC has of “pulling a LaSalle” and qualifying for states the hard way. But stay tuned.