September 28 Weekend: All Meets 9/28: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Carlisle Invitational @ Carlisle High School WITH SIX PIX PAGES, INCLUDING JV (Fuller, CV derails Millers, who go 2-4. Coatesville boys win. Papenberg (left) dominates. Gov Mifflin cruises. North Allegheny takes other two varsity races) | Paul Short Invitational @ Lehigh University (Korich wins in strong 15:46.1, but Northeast (MD) takes boys' team. Gwynedd-Mercy, behind Bishop/Mealy 1-2 just 55 pts) | PA @ Great American XC Festival, North Carolina (West Chester Henderson boys and Wyomissing girls get 5th in the 'big' races! Gottesfeld 4th. C.Cliff's Young 20:16-4th in Seeded) Northern Invitational @ Hartwood Acres, hosted by Fox Chapel HS | Bulldog Invitational @ Rose Tree Park (O'Hara sweeps. O'Neill 16:09, Amy Kelly 19:12) | Sharpsville Blue Devil Invitational @ Buhl Park (Eric/Brian Soder 1-3 with Jed Christiansen 2nd. Jesi wins. Harbor Creek boys, Seneca girls. WITH PIX.) | Cochranton Invitational @ Cochranton, PA (Hickory girls 53, Union City boys 27 dominate) |Council Rock Invitational @ Tyler State Park (Rock-North boys, Rock-South girls behind Hewins's 2nd & Nash' 1st. Coopersmith wins boys race) | A.J. Everhart Invitational @ the Penn State-Fayette Campus, Uniontown (19:03 5K Michol Monaghan Laurel Highlands. Teddy Myers, Bethel Park, 15:56. Greensburg-Salem boys / Allderdice girls) | Mercersburg Invitational @ Mercersburg Academy | Northern Invitational @ Hartwood Acres, Fox Chapel HS (Sam Bair 16:19, Kaitlin Grimm, Penn Hills, 19:24. Lebo takes boys & girls titles)

Saturday, September 28: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Carlisle HS Meet of Champions @ Carlisle HS - (WITH PIX PAGES) East Pennboro senior Ryan Blood must feel like he's in a bad cross country movie called 'Attack of the Novices.' At Gettysburg three weeks ago, the senior star was 2nd to frosh sensation Craig Miller of Manheim Township. Miller's twin, Brad, was 4th in the race. And first time XC runner Brian Fuller of Cumberland Valley, a junior, was 3rd. But at Carlisle, Fuller used his first experience to learn the importance of not letting anyone get a gap on you, and pulled away over the final 400 to win on the great Carlisle home course in 15:59.4. Craig Miller, staggering slightly in the final straightaway, held on for 2nd. Blood, fighting allergies, was 3rd, and Brad Miller again garnered 4th. In the other "Challenge", or "A" race, juniors Kate Papenberg, Red Lion, and Kylee Schuler, Chambersburg, battled most of the way, before Papenberg's power gave her the win in 18:37.5. Coatesville served notice that they are on a fast road to challenging at States this year by placing four in the top 27 to win the team title with 119 points. Governor Mifflin placed five in the top 31 for just 68 points behind Nikki Stoyer's 6th place 19:40.88. In the other two varsity races, North Allegheny swept both. North Allegheny was registered for the "Challenge" race, but somehow ended up in the "Champions" race, and didn't get to run against the better teams. Coatesville was still the better team on the day. But in the girls' race, it would have been a close call either way with Governor Mifflin. Upper Merion's Jon Gries won the 2nd varsity race in 16:46.4, while St. Basil's Lynn Morelli cruised to a 19:03.50 win. North Allegheny also sweeps both JV races. Results courtesy of Carlisle HS, plus SIX PIX PAGES, INCLUDING JV RACES.

Saturday, September 28: PA @ Great American Festival @ Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte NC - Despite the DQ's of the first five runners for accidently cutting the course, West Chester Henderson still would have finished fifth in the prestigious Race of Champions. And no matter how you score it, Junior star Ian Gottesfeld would have finished top ten. The official record will record his 4th place finish in 16:55.7 on the slippery course. And 2nd man Greg Williams, also a junior, was 7th in 17:02.0. Their spread for five was 1:16. The Wyomissing girls, which has won the AA state championship the past three seasons, was equally as impressive behind twins Amy (17th in 20:20.8) and Debbie (21st in 20:32.0) Huss. The squad also finished 5th, losing a tie-breaker for 4th. In the girls' Seeded Invitational, Council Rock-North's Jessica Cickay is working hard to regain her sophomore form. She was 17th in 21:11.6. In the Seeded races, Cedar Cliff's girls were 14th behind Janelle Young's 4th place 20:16.0, while the Cedar Cliff boys were 12th behind Pat Philbin's 35th place 17:47.4. In Small Schools, LaSalle's boys were 2nd, the Wyomissing boys were 9th, and Archbishop Carroll was 24th. Carroll's girls were 13th in the Small Schools. In JV races, the Wyomissing girls were 10th, while the Wyomissing boys were 35th. PA @ Great American.

Saturday, September 28: A.J. Everhart Invitational @ the Penn State-Fayette Campus, Uniontown - 19:03 5K Michol Monaghan Laurel Highlands. Greensburg Salem boys / Allderdice girls. Teddy Myers, Bethel Park, takes boys race in 15:56.Results not available.

Saturday, September 28: Fox Chapel Invitational @ Hartwood Acres - Sam Bair has decreased the intensity of his workouts to be better rested for the grueling XC season, and it's paying off with wins. He took the Fox Chapel Invitational @ Hartwood Acres in 16:19. Penn Hills frosh Kaitlin Grimm won the girls race in 19:24. Mt. Lebo's boys and girls teams took those titles. Results not available.

Saturday, September 28: Paul Short Invitational @ Lehigh University - There's another top runner emerging at Springfield (Montco) in the person of Mark Korich, who controlled the Lehigh course with a 15:46.1, to win by 23 seconds over West Chester East's Justin Woodruff. Holy Ghost Prep's Bill Ference was 3rd in 16:25.7 to lead his team to a second place showing behind Maryland's Northwest HS, placing five in the top 14. In the girls' race, Gwynedd Mercy went one-two behind Meghan Bishop, 18:54.1, and Khaki Mealy, 19:27.5, easily outdistance Saucon Valley, tallying just 55 points. Results in PDF courtesy of Lehigh University.

Saturday, September 28: Council Rock Invitational @ Tyler State Park - The Council Rock-North boys won their home invitational easily over former teammates from Council Rock-South, and several other teams with just 28 points behind the 2nd place showing of Pete Hewins in 16:49. Pennridge's John Coopersmith was first ten seconds ahead. Bristol and Lower Moreland took the smaller school A and B team titles for the boys. The Council Rock-South girls captured the large schools' race behind the first place performance of Meryl Nash, who went 20:16. Villa Joseph Marie took the small schools' title with 88 points. Results courtesy of Bill Kenny.

Saturday, September 28: Sharpsville Invitational @ Buhl Park - The Soder brothers (Eric + Brian) took it out hard, but Jed Christiansen, Greenville, maintained a 25 yard gap (slightly obscured at right). With about 800 left, the gap grew smaller, and with 400 to go, Jed was with the Soders. Christiansen passed Brian (15:14), but Eric (15:04) held on for a 2 second win on the 3-mile course. Harbor Creek cruised in the team competition with their 34 points easily outdistancing McDowell's 78. The developing story is that team behind the Soders, as all five scorers were in the top 14. The gap of 1:45 is a bit wide, but there's time to correct that. In the girls' race, Jesi Christiansen wins again, this time in 17:58. Seneca, with 69, was 14 better than McDowell. Results & Pix courtesy of Kerry Barry.

Saturday, September 28: Cochranton Invitational @ Cochranton, PA - The Hickory girls (53) and the Union City (27) boys dominated. In the girls race Titusville (57) and Union City (105) were second and third, respectively. For the boys Lakeview (127) was second and Reynolds 3rd (133). Meet winner Lauren Balderelli led Hickory (19:53), followed by teammates Kara Morris (5th, 20:41), Maeghen Armbruster (9th, 21:38), Sara Lucas (17th, 22:08), Erin Woods (21st, 22: 20), Jackie Woods (34th, 23:52), and Amber Budzowski (38th, 24:22). The boys race was won by Reuben Smith of Union City in a time of 16:16. Also for Hickory, Andrea Flower won the JV race in a time of 23:08. Summary R esults courtesy of Hickory athletes.

Saturday, September 28: Bulldog Invitational @ Rose Tree Park - Cardinal O'Hara used the second place finishes of it's #1 runners, plus three more top 25 finishers each, to take the Large School races. Frosh Katie Kelly fought off a rough finish to go 19:19, seven seconds behind St. Hubert's Amy Kelly. And Steve Hallinan was 2nd to St. Joe Prep's Tim O'Neill for the 2nd straight year at Bulldog, six seconds back in 16:15. The O'Hara girls had 69 points, while the O'Hara guys scored just 61. In the Small School Race, Upper Moreland's Jim Holzwarth won in 16:41 and his team tallied just 38 points. Wissahickon won the girls race with 58 points. Brandywine's Jessica Leitsch went 19:54. Results courtesy of John Ferraro, Kennett HS.

Saturday, September 28: A.J. Everhart Invitational @ the Penn State-Fayette Campus, Uniontown - 19:03 5K Michol Monaghan Laurel Highlands, Greensburg-Salem boys, Allderdice girls win team titles.

September 21 Weekend: All Meets 9/21: (PENNTRACK ONSITE JUST BRIEFLY - WAS WATCHING A COLLEGE MEET IN NYC) Briarwood Invitational @ Belmont Plateau, Philadelphia (NJ invasion but Great Valley boys + North Penn & Haverford girls defend PA turf. O'Hara frosh Katie Kelly (left) fastest time of day. new pix added 9/25) | Bulldog Invitational @ Northern Lehigh HS (Saucon Valley boys nip Emmaus. Clauser 17:01. Gov Mifflin girls dominate. Lare 19:14.9) | Allegheny College High School Cross Country Classic @ Allegheny College (Soders switch places between one-two, team wins. Alderdice girls & Meadville's Maris Reutzel's 1st in 19:42.6) | Lakeview Invitational with pix @ Stonesboro (Allen bests ailing Jed Christiansen. West Middlesex rolls. Jesi wins, but Eisenhower team victorious) | Altoona Invitational @ Altoona High School | Chris Fretz Invitational @ Perkiomen Valley HS (cancelled-teacher's strike) | Northeast Invitational @ Bloomsburg University (Allentown Central Cath wins behind Koon' 19:46. Shikellamy boys win. Spooner 16:39) | Conrad Weiser Invitational in Robesonia | Chestnut Hill Invitational (Korich sets meet record. Dougherty prevails in team competition) | PA @ Bull Run Invitational, Hereford HS, Maryland (Ryan Blood 3rd in 16:43, Kari Blood 7th 20:37 in Elite Races on very hilly 3-mile course. Results on Dyestat.

Saturday September 21: (PENNTRACK ONSITE BRIEFLY) Briarwood Invitational @ Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA - A few surprises on a humid, almost summer-like day on Philly's Belmont Plateau. Course record-holder Jessica Cickay of Council Rock-North finished 5th in the Championship race, 36 seconds off the pace set by Cardinal O'Hara's Katie Kelly, who went the fastest time of the day in 19:33.96. But North Penn, behind the 7th place effort of Cheryl Dingman in 20:17.39, took the team title with 83 point, five better than NJ's Shawnee. The Haverford Township girls were four points better than West Chester Henderson behind Julia Somers' 8th place 21:39.41. In Division II, New York's Pearl River placed four in the top 13 to tally just 52 points. St. Basil's Lynn Morelli took the individual title in 20:02.96. On the boys' side, New Jersey led a charge of top teams from the Garden State. Hunterdon Central went 1-2 in the Championship race, (Jon Fox, 16:12.59; Chris Pannone, 16:33.65), and totalled just 55 points, to hold off last week's upset winner over US #9 Salesianum, Council Rock North, by 31 points. Rival Mainland Central crushed their Division I opposiition behind Greg Hughes' 16:09.57 2, the best time of the day, and a new Division I record. Cross Country (soccer player) Eric Fleming of Bishop Shanahan, ran 16:29.61, the 3rd fastest time of the day. And in Divison II, Great Valley (pictured) held off Holy Ghost Prep by a mere two points, 46 to 48, even though Bill Ferrence won the race for HGP with his 17:11.45. Ben Franczuszki, Great Valley, was 3rd in 17:24.29. Results courtesy of Briarwood Invitational.

Saturday, September 21 - Northeast Inivtational @ Bloomsburg University - Defending AAA State Champ Allentown Central Catholic's girls showed depth as they scored just 93 points in the 34 team field at the Northeast Invitational at Bloomsburg University. They were led once again by junior Frances Koons who took individual honors in 19:46, holding off Lewisburg's Ashleigh Wetzel by six seconds. The Shikellamy boys won easily with 95 points, despite having no top ten finishers. Junior Jentre Deibler was 13th for the winning team. Lewisburg's Chris Spooner won the race in 16:39 to lead his team to a 2nd place showing. Results courtesy of Fred Koons, webmaster @ Allentown Central Catholic site.

Saturday, September 21: Bulldog Invitational @ Northern Lehigh HS - Saucon Valley only had one top ten finisher (Sean Quinn 17:52.9), but they had five in the top 26, all within 30 seconds, to beat Emmaus by just four points. Pottsville's Shane Clauser went 17:01.0 for the win. The Governor Mifflin girls went 3, 4, 8, 9, 14 for just 38 points and an easy win, behind Demetra Koutsaurais. The Liberty tandem of Molly Lare (19:14.9) and Erin Matyus (19:26.7), were first and second. Results courtesy of David Oertner, Northern Lehigh - and Emreytrack.com.

Saturday, September 21: Lakeview Invitational @ Stonesboro - The only missing top boys' team was Harbor Creek, but the Lakeview Invite proved a prelude to the District meet coming in October. West Middlesex won again, this time by 30 over Union City. Jed Christiansen, fighting off a fever, hung tough but lost by 12 seconds to Eisenhower's Grant Allen. In the girls' race, Jesi Christiansen continued unbeaten. But Eisenhower held off a nicely packed Rocky Grove squad behind the 2nd place effort of Heather Wilmoth. Results & Photos courtesty of Kerry Barry.

Saturday, September 21: Allegheny College High School Cross Country Classic @ Allegheny College - Brian (Jr) and Eric (Sr) Soder of Harbor Creek have been trading one-two finishes during September. This time it was Eric's turn, by just one second, winning in 15:58.6. Their team placed five in the top 23 to garner just 51 points, taking the team title by 32 over Erie McDowell. Pittsburgh's Taylor Allderdice girls beat McDowell by 38 points, tallying just 53 points behind Molly Ainsman's 3rd place 20:08.2, getting their scoring five in the top 21. Meadville's Maris Reutzel was first in 19:42.6. Results courtesy of Bill Ross, Allegheny College.

Saturday, September 21: Chestnut Hill Invitational - Mark Korich of Springfield (Montco) broke the old meet record on the 3.0 circuit with his 15:44 over host school's #1 Evan Lodge, 2nd in 16:18. But Cardinal Dougherty, with three top ten finishes led by Dan Foley's 4th place 16:28 prevailed in the team competition with just 51 points. Results.

Sept 21st Chris Fretz Invitational @ Perkiomen Valley HS cancelled because of teachers' strike.

September 14 Weekend: All Meets 9/14: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Abington Invitational @ Abington HS (Gottesfeld (left) leads Henderson, Bishop leads Gwynedd -Mercy to team wins - Abington Girls Pix, Boys Pix w/JV winners + results) | Lebanon Valley Invitational @ Memorial Lake State Park, Ft. Indiantown Gap (O'Hara girls, St. Joseph's boys behind Katie Kelly and Tim O'Neill - with PIX) | Slippery Rock Invitational @ Slippery Rock University (Jesi and Jed take care of business, but Harbor Creek's Soders lead team win - with PIX) | Bear Mountain XC River Run @ Lock Haven University (Ryan Blood responds to G-burg with 15:28 5K, Kelly Chadwick, State College, 19:08, both course records) | Centaur Invitational @ DeSales University (Council Rock-North takes US#9 Salesianum, DE, Papenberg wins easily, but Hatter girls win - with Pix Page | Central Bucks East Invitational @ CB East HS (Greis 16:01, Yester 18:49 as Downingtown boys/North Penn girls get team wins) | Co-Ed Invitational @ Upper Dublin HS (Breisch - Devinney take titles) | Conneaute Lake Invitational (Titusville girls, and Ft. LeBoeuf boys win) | Bulldog Invitational @ Big Spring HS (Millhouse wins, Shippensburg girls in tiebreaker, Del Rossi leads Donegal boys) | Penn State Behrend Invitational - Cancelled: thunderstorms | Wellsboro XC Invitational | PA @ Spartan Invitational, Boardman, OH Inv. | PA @ Mid Atlantic HS Classic @ Goucher College HS Inv. Towson, MD

Saturday, September 14: Centaur Invitational @ DeSales University - Pre-Season Harrier US#9 Salesianum (DE) was rocked by Council Rock-North at the DeSales Invitational. As perennial state contenders/champions prior to this year's split into Council Rock-North and South, it was North that inherited most of last year's varsity. The experince showed as they went 3-4-11-17-18 (19-29) for just 53 points in the 36-team field to win by 43 over 2nd place Salesianum. Leading Council Rock-North were Pete Hewins (16:37) and Buddy Davis (16:38), as Salesianum #1 PJ Meany was 10th in 16:51, just four seconds up on Rock's #3 guy, Alex Heitman. Red Lion's Kate Papenberg dominated a strong field with her 18:46 to win by almost a minute. But Hatboro-Horsham, behind Janine Ricci's 7th place 20:02, scored just 76 points to hold off Philadelphia Catholic League power St. Hubert's. Red Lion was 3rd. Results courtesy of Al Weiner, DeSales University. Pix courtesy of Craig Lowthert.

Saturday, September 14: Lebanon Valley College Invitational @ Lebanon Valley College (5400 meters) - Cardinal O'Hara showed depth and tenacity as they took the team lead at a mile and held on to hold off Allentown Central Catholic at the 5400 meter distance, 52-70. Frosh Katie Kelly of O'Hara pulled away from Allentown Central Catholic's Frances Koons to win by 15 seconds. St. Joseph Prep junior Tim O'Neill went 18:09 to lead his team to an easy win over Cedar Crest, who was running without ace Pat Clark. Results, including JV, courtesy of The Tracker Timing Service with photos by Mike McMillen.

Saturday, September 14: Bulldog Invitational @ Big Spring High School - Boiling Springs' Kyleigh Millhouse is one of the top Central PA runners this early season, and she showed it, taking 16 second win in 20:55. But it was Shippensburg's girls, behind the 3rd place finish of Sarah Bounds, that took team honors in a sixth-place tiebreaker over Greencastle-Antrim, both with 70 points. In the boys' race, it was Donegal's Jeremy Del Rossi with the win in 17:30, leading his team to the 47-54 point win over Shippensburg. Results courtesy of Big Spring HS.

Saturday, September 14: Bear Mountain River Run @ Lock Haven University - Ryan Blood, East Pennsboro, responds to G-burg with 15:28 5K, Kelly Chadwick, State College, 19:08, both course records. Blood's fast little sister Kari , a 9th grader, goes 19:21 to get 2nd. State College girls win by 14 over Conrad Weiser. Philly-area Owen J. Roberts gets 56 for eight point win over State College boys behind Phil Sibley's 17:04 3rd place. Results courtesy of Aaron Russell, LHU.

Saturday, September 14: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Abington Invitational @ Abington High School - West Chester Henderson (above just after the mile, there are four Henderson guys in a chase back that pulled in Dutch and Snyder) has not won a state title since 1996, but during the time since, they have always been in the hunt. They were 2nd in 2001, with mostly underclassmen. That's the good news. The so-so news is they are not as deep as they'd like to be, with a solid first five that can run with most in the U.S., but too many seconds to #6. Today, one of their top five (senior Mike Misselwicz) didn't run nursing a minor nick. The result, though, was as expected. A team win behind junior Ian Gottesfeld and his 16:08. Teammate, and fellow junior Greg Williams was just five seconds back. Mike Merrick and Jim Alexander went 6-7 in 16:41 and 16:45, but their fifth guy was 41st, which tallied 57 points, still good enough to hold off Chester County rival Coatesville, with 79. Haverford senior Eddie Dutch battled with the top and rallied for a strong 3rd in 16:28. For the girls, Gwynedd-Mercy outdistanced a Paige/Erin-less Wissahickon team by 35 points behind the dominant 18:59 of team leader Meghan Bishop. Results courtesy of Abington HS. Girls Pix - Boys Pix Pages w/JV winners + results.

Saturday, September 14: Slippery Rock Invitational @ Slippery Rock University - The Christianson's of Greenville refuse to lose. Jesi makes a statement with a 19:25 and an easy win, but Quaker Valley goes 3-7-12-14-15 for just 51 points. Harbor Creek, now AA, wins the team title behind brothers Brian and Eric, as the team tallies 2-3-16-19-33 for just 73 points, but Jed Christiansen goes 15:54 for an individual win. In AAA. North Allegheny's girls show signs of being a top team, behind Amy Ruffolo's 19:58. Lauren Bricker, a Hempfield senior, went 19:29. Frosh Kaitliln Grimm of Penn Hills, slipped in between Bricker and Ruffolo with her 19:39. And with a 1-4-5 grouping, North Hills' boys tallied just 66 points behind junior Ian Fitzgerald's 16:16. Results courtesy www.runhigh.com.

Saturday, September 14: Central Bucks East Invitational @ CB East HS - The Downingtown boys, behind the 6th place 16:30 of Ben Sheldon, took the team title by a narrow two points over North Penn, and just six over Upper Moreland. But it was Upper Merion's Jon Greis who took home the individual title with his 16:01. The North Penn girls placed two in the top ten, and took the team win behind the 3rd place 19:10 by Cheryl Dingman. Downingtown's Jessie Yester went 18:49 to hold off CB East's Val Myers, who was :06 back. Results.

Saturday, September 14: Co-ed Invitational @ Upper Dublin High School Quakertown's Adam Breisch set a course record on the 3.0 circuit, going 15:29 to hold off the host team's top runner, Matt Lawson, by 16 seconds. In the girls varsity race, Lower Moreland's A. Divinney took the win in 20:04 on the warm, sunny day. Results courtesy of Rich Ames, Upper Dublin.

Saturday, September 14: Conneaute Lake Invitational - The Titusville girls, behind a solid 2-3-5 finish by their top three, dominated second place Fairview by 22 points. Courtney Ranken led the winning team with her 20:04, followed closely by Theresa Favelli, just a second back. But it was Fairview's Natatia Rambish who took individual honors, going 19:46. The Fairview boys also finished second, thanks to LeBoeuf's Bruce Hordusky, who went 16:16. Teammate R.J. Smith contributed only four points, going 17:00. Results courtesy of Dennis Muller.

Saturday, September 14: Mid Atlantic High School Classic @ Goucher College, Towson, MD - ork Suburban travelled across the border to Goucher College, and came away with a third place girls', and fifth place boys' team performances. Soph twins Christiana and Vianna Antonopoulos went 3-4 for the top individual places, in 20:19, 20:21, respectively. Sean Erdenbrack, was 21st in 18:05.17 and Zarchary Wiest, 22nd in 18:05.41 to pace the boys. Results courtesy of Goucher College.

Saturday, September 14: Spartan Invitational @ Boardman, OH - Boardman High School hosted the annual Spartan Invitational in Boardman, Ohio, September 14, and 113 schools attended. With Ohio powerhouses Jackson and Glenoak dominating the large-schools division, there wasn’t much room left at the top for the Pennsylvania teams. Still, there were some outstanding performances, both team and individual, from PA teams. In the girls’ team competition, Mt. Lebanon squeaked by Allderdice for 5th place, 211-212, and Gateway finished 8th with 274 points. Suzy Bossatt of Greensburg-Salem placed 9th, Molly Ainsman of Allderdice placed 10th, and Rachel Wiesenbach of Gateway placed 15th in the girls’ varsity race. On the boys’ side, Mt. Lebanon also led all PA teams with a 4th place finish (199), followed by Highlands in 10th (319) and Greensburg-Salem in 13th (336). Andy Tomaswick of Highlands placed 3rd. Eric Harbidon of Greensburg-Salem placed 4th, and Tom Slosky of Highlands placed 7th in the boys’ varsity race. Summary courtesy of Matthew Meisel, Taylor Alderdice.

September 7 Weekend: All Meets 9/7: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Gettysburg XC Invitational @ Gettysburg HS (Frosh Craig and Brad Miller burst onto the PA XC scene with a 1-4 finish, with Craig going 15:58 to beat Ryan Blood - Emily Kruger, Lampeter-Strasburg 18:37 - Gburg Girls Pix, Boys Pix | Spiked Shoe Invitational @ Penn State (Saratoga Springs 23 points behind Nicole Blood's 17:53.42 - Chris Kollar, Strongsville OH 15:41.50, Scranton Prep's Jonathan Pastore 15:49) | St. Basil Academy Invitational (Lynn Morelli wins home meet 19:24- Pat Taggart, Fr Judge 17:35 + photos) | Maroon & Gold Invitational @ Kutztown University (Schuler wins but Wyomissing behind Huss twins takes team title by wide margin - Woodruff leads CB East) | Big Red Invitational @ West Middlesex HS (Jesi Christiansen 18:43, younger brother Jed 15:44 - West Middlesex boys win) | Mill Street Run in Bristol (Cickay + Palumbo lead Rock North to wins) | Twin Valley Raider Relays in Morgantown (O'Hara boys sweep one-two, St. Pius X girls win) | California Invitational @ California University of PA: Cancelled due to course construction.

Saturday, September 7: (PENNTRACK ONSITE) Gettysburg Invitational @ Gettysburg High School - Do not adjust your browser (See below + photo page). Those really are two freshmen running with Ryan Blood - PA Indoor 3000 Champ & top returning PA underclassman from Northeast Foot Locker - at the 9/7 Gettysburg Inv. Manheim Township's Craig Miller (#317) would finish 1st in 15:58, while bro Brad, would get 4th in 16:17. Blood 2nd in 16:01. Blood said he was "pleased with his race because I was faster this year than last at the same meet." However, Blood had no advance warning that these two would be that good. Blood was gapped on the final turn toward home. "I just didn't have it." In the girls' race, Lampeter-Strasburg senior Emily Kruger pulled away from Cedar Cliff's Janelle Young and Western Allegheny star Christine Taranto just past the mile to win in 18:37.61. Taranto said she took the summer off after a grueling junior year, and just started training August 12. Hempfield's boys took Cedar Cliff by 11 points, while the Cumberland Valley girls defeated Lampeter-Strasburg by 18. Results courtesy of Gettysburg HS and Irishrunner.com + Girls Pix, Boys Pix Pages



Saturday, September 7: Spiked Shoe Invitational @ Penn State University - New York and Ohio teams came into PA and took individual and team titles. Saratoga Springs, the nation's #1 ranked team (Harrier) went 1-3-4-7-8 (23 points) behind Nicole Blood's 17:53.42 to easily out-distance Governor Mifflin and North Allegheny. Red Lion's Kate Papenberg was 2nd 1:01 back. Jenny Stevens, Wyolusing Valley, was PA's next finisher, getting 5th in 19:16.22. Chris Kollar, of Strongville, Ohio, held off Scranton Prep star Jonathan Pastore by eight seconds, going 15:41.50. The Soders of Harbor Creek, were 3rd and 4th, with Eric at 16:07.85, and Brian at 16:08.86. Strongville tallied 125 points, 36 better than Scranton Prep. Results courtesy of Penn State University.

Saturday, September 7: St. Basil Academy Invitational @ St. Basil Academy - The 1st annual St. Basil Invitational was a success. The meet was attended by seven girls schools and four boys schools. Individual honors went to Lynn Morelli of St. Basil's and Pat Taggart of Father Judge. Morelli, running on her home course, ran away from the field early and finished nearly a minute ahead of runner up Mora Tipping of Merion Mercy, 19:24 to 20:22. Taggart (17:35) and teammate Tim Creelman (17:48) pulled away from a pack of Monsignor Bonner runners midway through the race to take the top two spots in the boys competition. The girls team title went to Merion Mercy Academy with 33 points, just three points ahead of Mount Saint Joseph's Academy. Merion placed four runners in the top ten and five in the top 13. Monsignor Bonner took the boys title over Father Judge, 25-60. Bonner took the next eight places after the top two runners from Judge. Results/Summary courtesy of Nick Constantino + Greg Green. Photos courtesy of Dan Nelson.