District 9 Predictions

AA

The AAA boys compete across the border in District 10 which means AA is the biggest class showcased at the District 9 meet. The boys of Puxsatawney look like the choice for District champs this year. Bo Dinger was fantastic last season, finishing the year as a medalist in AA states. He returns to lead the charge with Eric Ingros developing into a great 2nd runner. Ingros and Dinger finished neck and neck at their latest meet at Cal. Burkatt, Meterko and Clark are all capable of top 10 finishes at the this meet which means we can expect a high 20s/low 30s type score for the Phils (seriously, how awesome would it be if they called themselves the Puxsatawney Phils?).

 

Their main competition should come from the Bradford boys and their upstart freshman Caruso. Caruso finds himself as one of the top freshman in the state and a co-favorite for the individual championship with Dinger. His teammate Nuzzo also seems primed for a top 5 finish. Bradford will need to improve their pack behind these two front runners if they are going to give Puxs the slap shot.

 

I give Caruso the slight edge over Dinger for the district title this weekend. I like Ingros as a sleeper as well as Coval from Clearfield. Shreiber from St. Mary’s and Betwett from Clarion will be in contention for top 10 finishes and trips to the state championship.

 

1       Puxsatawney     30

2       Bradford

 

1       Caruso          Bradford

2       Dinger          Puxsatawney

3       Ingros          Puxsatawney

4       Nuzzo           Bradford

5       Coval           Clearfield

6       Burkatt         Puxsatawney

7       Shreiber        St. Marys

8       Betwett Clarion

9       Meterko Puxsatawney

10      Clark           Puxsatawney

 

A

The A race is going to be an intriguing battle for the two team spots. Cranberry has had an excellent season behind Lander and Keenan and looks like one of the favorites to win the race. However, Elk County Catholic has some serious potential fire power with both Bile and Dippold threatening to finish in the top 5, while Hoffman is a very capable number 3. When these two squads met at Ridgway it was Cranberry who got the edge over ECC by 9 points because of their superior pack running, but I expect things to be close again at districts. Cranberry is a bit older and has a better pack, both important attributes for a championship teams. I give them a slight nod because I’m a bit more confident in their pack, but I do worry a bit about their lack of front running.

 

The teams looking to play spoiler to this plan are Coudersport and Oswayo Valley. Oswayo Valley has proven they have a strong pack, but lack the front running to compete with these front teams. Coudersport on the other hand has shown they have very potent front running, but their 4-5 are a bit behind. Coudersport is a very real sleeper here and there front runner, Cavanaugh, has been fantastic in recent weeks. If Timbur and Sweede run with Hoffman and Dippold, Caudersport will be very competitive in the District title conversation. They will still need a lift from their 4-5, but no team’s 4-5 punch really blows anyone else’s out of the water.

 

Individually, Liam Raehsler from Clarion Area is my pick to win. Keep that name in mind for this weekend and states weekend. He had a fantastic race at Pre States and as a few quality invitational performances on his resume as well. He isn’t afraid to mix it up with top level runners and could end his year in the top 5 at states. Cavanaugh from Coudersport is another guy with big stretch run potential. Up in NY earlier this month he threw down an impressive 5k victory plus he ran quite quick at McQuaid. Wilson from North Clarion, Thrush from Brookville, the ECC boys and Adams from Northern Potter (if healthy, he didn’t race at their most recent meet) will all be in contention for a top 5 finish at the district meet.

 

1       Cranberry               88

2       Elk County Catholic     90

3       Coudersport             95

4       Oswayo Valley

 

1       Raehsler        Clarion Area

2       Cavanaugh       Coudersport

3       Wilson          North Clarion

4       Bile            Elk County Catholic

5       Adams           Northern Potter

6       Thrush          Brookville Area

7       Dippold Elk County Catholic

8       Lander          Cranberry

9       Keenan  Cranberry

10      Lawton          Brockway

11      Timbur          Coudersport

12      Conley          Northern Potter

13      Bettwy          Clarion Area

14      Hoffman Elk County Catholic

15      Griebel North Clarion

16      Brabham Oswayo Valley

17      Guyer           Ridgway

18      Sweede  Coudersport

19      Brannon  Cranberry

20      Rees            Oswayo Valley