Showing posts with label northern york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northern york. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
MileSpilt National Power Rankings
Since we will now be providing coverage of Nike Team Nationals. Here are the latest MileSplit National Power Rankings. Seventh-ranked North Penn is the only PA team in the rankings.
In the NTN Northeast Regional Rankings PA Has several teams in the top ten. On the boys' side, North Penn leads the way at #2. Germantown Friends is lurking behind them in 6th, while Coatesville (8th) and La Salle (9th) will look to make their mark at the NTN Northeast Regional. Emmaus is ranked 6th on the girls side and they are followed closely by Central Cambria in 7th and 9th-ranked Northern York.
In the NTN Northeast Regional Rankings PA Has several teams in the top ten. On the boys' side, North Penn leads the way at #2. Germantown Friends is lurking behind them in 6th, while Coatesville (8th) and La Salle (9th) will look to make their mark at the NTN Northeast Regional. Emmaus is ranked 6th on the girls side and they are followed closely by Central Cambria in 7th and 9th-ranked Northern York.
Friday, October 26, 2007
A Preview of the District Meets
Well this is the next big weekend of racing. All of the top kids made it through Week 1 of the championship stretch, Conference Championships, with flying colors. Now we are onto the District Championships which serve as the qualifier for the state meet.
Runners to watch by district:
District 1
On the girls side, Meghan Lutz seems to be hitting her stride. She ran 18:08 to win her conference meet and serve notice that she is ready for the stretch run. On Friday she will take aim against the rest of the district in Bethlehem, PA, at the spectator-friendly course of Lehigh University. She will have stiff competition from several girls, but she looks to be ready for the task.
Chris Aldrich is the favorite for the boys. His second place finish at the New Balance Manhattan College XC Invite, was a great opener. Coach Kelley said they have been putting in a great deal of quality work, and they will use this race to test the waters a bit. Alrdich will be challenged mainly by Mark Denin of Boyertown, who is having a fine season as well.
District 3
Our largest contingent of potential Foot Locker qualifies lies in the heart of PA (District 3 and 6). In girls AAA, Neely Spence is the favorite. At Mid-Penns she said she tries to use each race as an indicator of her fitness. Look for a very controlled effort from Spence as she is supremely focused on the end of the next three meets (PIAA Championship, Foot Locker Northeast, Foot Locker Championships). Her biggest competition will come from Rachel Wong who will try to lead the Northern York Polar Bears to the district team title. Northern York is looking like they are the team to beat for the state title as well.
Kara Millhouse will look to move up one spot to the top of the podium in the girls AA race, as she finished in second place last year. Kara should be relatively unchallenged which will allow her to use this as tune-up for next weekend's big show down with Carly Seymour and Kacey Gibson.
Vince McNally will try to repeat as champion in the Boys AAA race. Vince has not been challenged all year, and that trend will continue on Saturday as he gives the onlookers a preview of what is to come the following week at states. After witnessing Vince's workout on Monday, there is no doubt in my mind that he is ready to go for the upcoming meets.
District 6
AA reigns supreme in District 6. The top teams and individuals are from the "small" schools. Carly Seymour will lead the charge for her Central Cambria team as they look to repeat as champions. Carly was also victorious last year. The team is firmly focused on Hershey and bringing the team title to Ebensburg.
In the boys AA race, a few Foot Locker dark horses emerge, Jim Spisak and Ben Hatch. Spisak has won just about every race he has run this fall and Hatch has been steadily improving throughout the season. Look for those two to do battle upfront.
District 7
In girls AAA, Natalie Bower will look to win her third crown in as many tries for the Latrobe Wildcats. There will also be a tight team battle, as she looks to get Latrobe back to the top of the podium, Mt. Lebanon dethroned them last year. North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon (again) will be their toughest opposition.
David Adley will look to keep his winning form as he tries to win his first District XC title. With a win, he might be able to lead the Baldwin Highlanders back to the big show.
Kacey Gibson should be unchallenged in girls AA. The race should serve as tune-up for next week's state championship race, as she looks to repeat as champ. She will have a race on her hand as Kara Millhouse and Carly Seymour have their eyes on the crown as well.
Runners to watch by district:
District 1
On the girls side, Meghan Lutz seems to be hitting her stride. She ran 18:08 to win her conference meet and serve notice that she is ready for the stretch run. On Friday she will take aim against the rest of the district in Bethlehem, PA, at the spectator-friendly course of Lehigh University. She will have stiff competition from several girls, but she looks to be ready for the task.
Chris Aldrich is the favorite for the boys. His second place finish at the New Balance Manhattan College XC Invite, was a great opener. Coach Kelley said they have been putting in a great deal of quality work, and they will use this race to test the waters a bit. Alrdich will be challenged mainly by Mark Denin of Boyertown, who is having a fine season as well.
District 3
Our largest contingent of potential Foot Locker qualifies lies in the heart of PA (District 3 and 6). In girls AAA, Neely Spence is the favorite. At Mid-Penns she said she tries to use each race as an indicator of her fitness. Look for a very controlled effort from Spence as she is supremely focused on the end of the next three meets (PIAA Championship, Foot Locker Northeast, Foot Locker Championships). Her biggest competition will come from Rachel Wong who will try to lead the Northern York Polar Bears to the district team title. Northern York is looking like they are the team to beat for the state title as well.
Kara Millhouse will look to move up one spot to the top of the podium in the girls AA race, as she finished in second place last year. Kara should be relatively unchallenged which will allow her to use this as tune-up for next weekend's big show down with Carly Seymour and Kacey Gibson.
Vince McNally will try to repeat as champion in the Boys AAA race. Vince has not been challenged all year, and that trend will continue on Saturday as he gives the onlookers a preview of what is to come the following week at states. After witnessing Vince's workout on Monday, there is no doubt in my mind that he is ready to go for the upcoming meets.
District 6
AA reigns supreme in District 6. The top teams and individuals are from the "small" schools. Carly Seymour will lead the charge for her Central Cambria team as they look to repeat as champions. Carly was also victorious last year. The team is firmly focused on Hershey and bringing the team title to Ebensburg.
In the boys AA race, a few Foot Locker dark horses emerge, Jim Spisak and Ben Hatch. Spisak has won just about every race he has run this fall and Hatch has been steadily improving throughout the season. Look for those two to do battle upfront.
District 7
In girls AAA, Natalie Bower will look to win her third crown in as many tries for the Latrobe Wildcats. There will also be a tight team battle, as she looks to get Latrobe back to the top of the podium, Mt. Lebanon dethroned them last year. North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon (again) will be their toughest opposition.
David Adley will look to keep his winning form as he tries to win his first District XC title. With a win, he might be able to lead the Baldwin Highlanders back to the big show.
Kacey Gibson should be unchallenged in girls AA. The race should serve as tune-up for next week's state championship race, as she looks to repeat as champ. She will have a race on her hand as Kara Millhouse and Carly Seymour have their eyes on the crown as well.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mid-Penn Cross Country Championshps
On Wednesday, October 17, Matt and I traveled to Big Spring HS for the Mid-Penn Conference Championships. It was beautiful drive with many great views along the ride. We were hoping that the race would be able to match the trip.
And it did. The Mid Penn Conference is home to three of the top girls in the state, Neely Spence (Shippensburg), Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs), and Rachel Wong (Northern York). Rachel's Northern York team is also one of the top teams in the state, and will be vying for the AAA title in less than a month.
The weather was warmer than we expected in Newville, PA home of Big Spring HS who played host for the conference championship. You couldn't ask for a better course from a runner's perspective, wide-open alleys to run down, then a wooded section which is the perfect place to make your move and break open the race. And that's just what happened. A pack of about 7-8 girls entered the woods together which is about the mile marker, but when it was time to emerge, one, Neely Spence, clearly had broken things open. Neely would continue to extend her lead all the way to the finish, running 18:37 and winning by 52 seconds.
Next to emerge from the woods was a pack of 3, Kara Millhouse, Racehel Wong, and Kristy Ulrich (Susquenita). Kara kept the pressure on and was able to separate herself and secure second place with a great time of 19:29. Kristy and Rachel were not far behind in 19:31 and 19:42 respectively. Northern York was able to hold off Cumberland Valley in the team portion 73-78. Neely and Kara were both pleased with their races and their preparation as they headed into the championship phase of the season. Rachel was a little disappointed with her performance, but said she would be ready to right the ship by districts.
If this race is any indication of what is in store for the next month and half, then we are in for quite a treat.
Newspaper Articles
Spence wins 1st piece of postseason trifecta (Wouldn't this actually be a Super Yankee if you include Foot Locker Regionals and Finals?)
Mid-Penn Cross Country Championships: Spence smokes opposition
And it did. The Mid Penn Conference is home to three of the top girls in the state, Neely Spence (Shippensburg), Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs), and Rachel Wong (Northern York). Rachel's Northern York team is also one of the top teams in the state, and will be vying for the AAA title in less than a month.
The weather was warmer than we expected in Newville, PA home of Big Spring HS who played host for the conference championship. You couldn't ask for a better course from a runner's perspective, wide-open alleys to run down, then a wooded section which is the perfect place to make your move and break open the race. And that's just what happened. A pack of about 7-8 girls entered the woods together which is about the mile marker, but when it was time to emerge, one, Neely Spence, clearly had broken things open. Neely would continue to extend her lead all the way to the finish, running 18:37 and winning by 52 seconds.
Next to emerge from the woods was a pack of 3, Kara Millhouse, Racehel Wong, and Kristy Ulrich (Susquenita). Kara kept the pressure on and was able to separate herself and secure second place with a great time of 19:29. Kristy and Rachel were not far behind in 19:31 and 19:42 respectively. Northern York was able to hold off Cumberland Valley in the team portion 73-78. Neely and Kara were both pleased with their races and their preparation as they headed into the championship phase of the season. Rachel was a little disappointed with her performance, but said she would be ready to right the ship by districts.
If this race is any indication of what is in store for the next month and half, then we are in for quite a treat.
Newspaper Articles
Spence wins 1st piece of postseason trifecta (Wouldn't this actually be a Super Yankee if you include Foot Locker Regionals and Finals?)
Mid-Penn Cross Country Championships: Spence smokes opposition
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Statement at Steel City
By the title I am not referring to the Steelers beating the Seahawks 21-0, but Vince McNally's 15:36 clocking, which was a 29 second victory over Mark Denin, at the Steel City Inivational hosted by Coatesville. McNally has had quite the progression at Steel City, 16:30 in 2004 for third, 15:56 in 2005 for second , did not race in 2006, and this year's 15:36 victory. His time is 11 seconds faster than last year's eventual state champion, Jason Weller. McNally is a force and he is leaving no stone unturned in his final high school season. Coatesville won the boys' team title for the 4th consecutive year.
Rachel Wong's second place finish lead Northern York to the girls team title. Rachel is having a great season and is helping her team reach new heights. They were 8th at states last year. With Rachel and the team improving so quickly, I forsee a Foot Locker-NTN conflict on the horizon. They are definitely going to surprise some people down the road. With Rachel's effort and her team's continued success, she has made the Road to San Diego Watchlist.
Rachel Wong's second place finish lead Northern York to the girls team title. Rachel is having a great season and is helping her team reach new heights. They were 8th at states last year. With Rachel and the team improving so quickly, I forsee a Foot Locker-NTN conflict on the horizon. They are definitely going to surprise some people down the road. With Rachel's effort and her team's continued success, she has made the Road to San Diego Watchlist.
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