The new classification changes were going to shake up the state landscape at least a little bit. I mean just ask Grove City who went from being a mid to back of the pack team in AAA and is now suddenly a year in and year out power. The same goes for Tunkhannock, the defending state champs.
Overall, the winner of this classification change so far seems to be district 2. Their AAA depth fall off hard with the loss of Tunkhannock and Dallas, but District 2 was never a strong title contender in AAA. Now D2 is becoming the powerhouse of AA. For starters last years champs in AA were Deluca and Tunkhannock: both from district 2. Now the early favorites are for this year's title are Scranton Prep and Dom Hockenbury. Hockenbury's accomplishments are fairly well documented at this point and although he was absent from the big races this weekend, he is still a 9:17 man with a state title and another runner up finish. He's a fantastic runner and only a Junior with room to grow.
Currently pursuing Hockenbury is emerging star Jack Tidball from Tunkhannock. He's coming off a third place finish at Spiked Shoe where he defeated two time state champ Zach Brehm among others. Tidball finished only behind Molino and helped the defending champs open their season on the right foot.
Tidball was the lead runner on a state title team last season and only got better on the track. He dipped into the 9:20s in the 3200m without seeing really deep competition like some of the other times from the states elite. His resume indicates he would have given Hockenbury a good run for his money at districts and states on the track if he wasn't lost in the shuffle of the studs in AAA. Tidball added his name to a growing list of "hey I can win that AA state title" types following in the footsteps of Kachman and Hilverding from the previous weeks.
Scranton Prep finished Spike Shoe nibbling at the heels of Carlisle, a team widely considered one of the best 10 in the state, and ahead of State College. They did it with a strong punch up front, and that ever so popular experience term that teams like keep the experts from jumping on bandwagons like DT West. 7 seniors led the way for Scranton Prep with top 10 finishes by Kyle Perry and Ben Evans helping lower the score. Both guys are hungry to leave Hershey with a pair of medals.
And it's not just AA where D2 should make noise. The always dangerous Elk Lake will be in the mix for some state medals like were in the Luke Jones days. Northeast Bradford may be the early favorite according to some, but the boys from Lakeland will also be hoping to make a statement when the dust clears at Hershey. They need to sure up the rest of their top 5, but they are building behind two stars in Nate Morgan and Mark Arzie and they are a very good program historically, especially on the track where they have had some impressive 4x8s. Morgan is extremely talented and coming off a 4:21 mark and key 4x8 legs. He was a top finisher at last years state meet and will be one of the first runners fans will look to if Molino falters in his title defense.
District 2 has it's claws out, and they are looking to take hold of the small school scene this year.
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