Girls Eastern States Championships Will Be A Show Stopper
* Zariel Macchia, Karrie Baloga, Kate Putman, and Angelina Napoleon will run for the Eastern States Championships title
- - -
The Eastern States Championship girls race is absolutely stacked with talent.
This year's competitive division will have four of New York's fastest cross country runners facing each other.
Among the field will be the defending champion from Cornwall (NY) and MileSplit50's No. 4 runner Karrie Baloga; the second-fastest returner from last year, Zariel Macchia of William Floyd (NY); Kate Putman of Cicero-North Syracuse (NY); and the 2K steeplechase record holder Angelina Napoleon of Allegany-Limestone (NY).
This season, Baloga started off strong as she debuted with a 5K performance of 17:07 at the Ocean State XC Invitational. It was a state-leading time.
Putman has been leading her CNS team throughout the season and clocked a personal best for three miles at the McQuaid Invitational with a 16:46. At that same meet, in the small school division, Napoleon clocked a nearly similar time of 16:52.
The interesting wild card in this race will be Macchia, as her season's best entering is 18:23. That time came from the Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational.
We can potentially see her put together a great race as she's faced with stiff competition.
Outside of New York, Jillian Candelino of Jacksonville Bolles (FL) will add some extra pressure as well. The competition is stiff this season for the girls. Will Baloga be able to defend her title?