District 5 Predictions

A

 

Ah, District 5. Most of what I have learned about District 5 in the past two weeks has been used up in the AA District 6 preview (AA D5 runs with AA D6). I’ll spare you the whole, why does District 5 exist thing (they are only A so it’s not too crazy for them to have a district, it just seems superfluous), and just get right down to the work I’m calling predictions. The honest truth of the matter is finding info for this meet was borderline impossible. The District 5 teams have barely competed this year and most of the guys who have were up in the 20 minutes range for 5k. Most of the top returners were MIA. Even if I could find results for their team, it didn’t guarantee the key returners would show up. So I tried my best folks, try not be too upset with me.

 

Meyersdale is the defending champs and they return a lot of key pieces, including a couple guys who have competed this year in Swick, Knotts and Shankle. Their top returner, Hutzell, who was their #1 guy last year as a freshman, wasn’t involved in the teams opening meet. We will see if he comes back strong. The runner ups from a year ago, Southern Fulton, have yet to compete this year but do return a couple strong state qualifiers form a year ago in Prior and Voigt. I suspect it will come down to these teams again this year (only three teams were listed in the team scoring a year ago although many more competed). I’m leaning towards a Meyersdale repeat at this point, but there is room for another team with solid front running to beat them.

 

Individually, the top two from a year ago graduated and the next few have been off the map thus far this season. It’s hard to really pick a favorite but the name to watch is probably my half cousin twice removed David Felix from Johnstown. Not only is there a 2% chance we are related, but he also had a very strong race at the Forrest Hills Invite. He’s one of the few District 5 guys who has put up a strong early season mark. Another name to watch is Glodek from Fannent-Metal who ran a solid time at Big Spring earlier this season. FM may be in AA this year apparently, but if they are still in A keep an eye on this name. Lastly Keller from Chestnut Ridge got off to a solid start this season and should be in the mix for individual qualifying spot.

 

Ultimately, I feel like my predictions for the District 5 Championship are like the 2014 Philadelphia 76ers. Yeah they are probably going to suck, but it doesn’t stop us from taking shots.

 

1       Meyersdale      36

2       South Fulton    43

 

1       Felix           Johnstown Christian

2       Glodek          Fannent-Metal High School

3       Keller          Chestunut Ridge

4       Swick           Meyersdale

5       Prior           South Fulton

6       Knotts          Meyersdale

7       Voigt           South Fulton

8       Shankle Meyersdale