Photo by Kyle Brazeil
Individuals Preview
Aislinn Devlin returns to NXN Northeast, looking to defend her title. The Downingtown West senior and Harvard-signee has shown that she's in the best shape of her life, running a career best 17:12 to win District 1 and then winning the state title a week later in 17:44 on the hills of Hershey. Based on MileSplit NY's speed ratings assessment, Devlin will be heavily favored to defend that crown and book a return trip to Portland for NXN.
Unionville's Anna Juul entered the regional meet last year as somewhat of an unknown as far as the regional landscape was concerned. But Juul took an impressive third in the race behind Devlin and Pennsbury's Olivia Sargent last year. Now she's become one of the state's best runners, taking an amazing third at states despite losing a shoe in the first 500 meters of the race. If both of her shoes stay on, the region and the nation should be on the lookout for Juul this postseason.
Photo by Don Rich
Devlin and Juul are the top returners, but there is a lot of firepower in the state of PA and a handful of others will be in the mix for a nationals qualifying spot. Perkiomen Valley won't be sending a full squad to Bowdoin Park, but top girl Annie Glodek will be racing. Glodek was fifth in the state in XC and has been very impressive in leading the Vikings, which took third in PA as a team. With a big race, Glodek could be looking at a Portland trip.
Cardinal O'Hara's Olivia Arizin led the Lions to a state title a few weeks ago despite an illness. She was 13th in the state, but a healthy Arizin will be in the mix for a individual nationals qualifier if the team doesn't make it. North Penn's Ariana Gardizy will be another one to watch. She was ninth at states a few weeks ago.
Unionville's Madison McGovern, Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy's Sera Mazza, Manheim Township's Kira Jenkins, and Loyalsock's Isabell Sagar will be among the others to watch for on Saturday.